This is an addendum to the article:
"Christians and Conspiracy Theories - A Call To Repentance"
● What, no conspiracies?
● Accusations of left-wing leaning
● Masonic symbols on our money?
● One World Gov't or BUST!
● Jesus and Peter give opinions...
● Am I paranoid enough?
● A Mason behind every bush
● Why did you write this article?
● I believe in CT but NOT racist
● Christians prepare by storing up
● Is CT repackaged Gnosticism?
● You are an enemy of God!
● Jesus told us what to do!
● It depends on your eschatology
● Satan "behind" all conspiracies
● Bible filled with conspiracies
● A conspiracy killed Jesus...
● The nefarious Federal Reserve
● CT teachers mighty impressive
● We gotta DO something!
● CT explains nearly everything
● Repentance advice, if you will
My article was about Conspiracy Theories, not real conspiracies.You must be a flaming liberal...Researching and ferreting out conspiracies is noble work when done honestly with genuine research. Such real work is a far cry from the fantasies and fabrications of Conspiracy Theory, which are merely systematized gossip and manufactured deception.
As to conspiracy scenarios such as the assassination of President Kennedy, Malcom X, or the Jonestown suicides--to name just a few--people have various deeply held suspicions. But, let us be clear that I have no interest here in "calling to repentance" from any such opinions or conclusions, as they have little salience to our on-going walk with Christ in any case--unless they become an obsession. On the other hand, if people are hell-bent on regurgitating worn-out anti-Semitic propaganda with no attachment whatsoever to the truth, then I think this is wrong. The spiritual pathology and ramifications of such practices ought to be pointed out, and have.
Jesus was not naive to the machinations of men. He called Herod a "fox." He was right. But such was not the meditation of his heart nor His emphasis or concern. It was just a passing fact to be noted. For He knew who was in charge--His Father--even of the "fox." Have we His mind?
Let us give fear where fear is due. Let us not tremble for the real conspiracies men are plotting even now, much less the "Conspiracy Theory" bogymen as if we were cowering children in the darkness of this world.
No, I am not. I'm a lifelong small-government conservative.Every one dollar bill is covered with Masonic symbolism...Conspiracy Theory has a minority of "believers" on the Left as well as the Right. To be sure, the Left is much more sophisticated than the right at putting forth its conspiracy theories: via Hollywood, the media, and high-brow academics. But a minority on both Left and Right are guilty.
It is my opinion that the more natural environment for Conspiracy Theories is among Leftists rather than conservatives. For example, Conspiracy Theories were foundational in the formation of both the Soviet Union and the Nazi Regime--the two most murderous governments in modern history, interestingly--but one gets the feeling that the Nazi's used Conspiracy Theory as calculated propaganda and did not really believe it, and this does not appear to be the case with the Communists. See the book by Daniel Pipes (links, below) for more on this. For another example, the many modern pop-culture movies, TV shows, events, etc. promoting Conspiratorial views come almost exclusively from Leftist producers (Oliver Stone, the X-Files, Louis Farrakhan, etc.) who seem to actually think they are true.
But I stray from your incorrect accusation that I am a Leftist since I am against Conspiracy Theories. Not so. Since many Christians are conservative, and there seems to be a resurgence of Conspiracy Theory among us, perhaps this led to your error of assumption. To be clear about this, I have repented of Conspiracy Theories for spiritual, not political, reasons, and would encourage you to do the same. Belief in Conspiracy Theories fails the fruit test and stokes the sin of fear (which was strictly forbidden by Jesus Christ) as well as the other spiritual problems detailed in the 12 points of the article. It is for obedience to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, regardless of our political orientation, that we should repent of Conspiracy Theories.
The Masonic influence in the formation of the USA cannot be denied. There are also Christian phrases and symbolism laced throughout the founders' writing as well. This surely galls American atheists, but there it is. And the Enlightenment ideas and Masonic emblems and regalia vex us Christians, but this is a FREE country, I think you know. Freedom carries with it certain costs. One of those is to allow other people the right to their own religious beliefs, even if they are anathema to you.How can you deny we are moving to a one world government? What about the UN? What about the New World Order? What about...(etc., etc., etc.)?I cannot imagine Jesus or Paul or the early church having a fit that a believer's name sounded "too Pagan," or going into a hissy fit if they saw an occult symbol on a Roman coin. I wonder if our fastidiousness about such minutiae is not a symptom of a lack of understanding of God's agenda and plan. Externals are not unimportant, and we should be especially careful to have no appearance of evil in the church. But with unbelievers, we need to focus on the important issues. On the spiritual scale of things, symbols and such pale in comparison to the eternal, hidden, spiritual things which are more needful today--as they were back then. We tend to get so caught up with the way things appear, popularity, polls, and other such carnal considerations--as if this mattered to God.
2 Corinthians 10:7a (NIV) You are looking only on the surface of things.God always wins. He does not cower or drop His jaw when the enemy pastes a symbol here or there, or if the enemy makes a nice speech on TV to rousing applause. Neither should His children. Let us be firm in our convictions and true to our God, and NOT blown about by every passing fad, even if in knee-jerk reaction.John 7:24 (NIV) "Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment."
Psalms 33:10 (NAS) The Lord nullifies the counsel of the nations; He frustrates the plans of the peoples.Isaiah 40:17 (NAS) All the nations are as nothing before Him. They are regarded by Him as less than nothing and meaningless.
Let us reason together concerning this. Clearly, the "unification" trend is weak compared to the "balkanization" trend prevalent just now. These "globalist" fears simply do not match the facts. There is no war going on right now in the world for unification. There are many bitter and violent ethnic, political, and religious wars threatening to start or already going on now. Tell the mother of a slain Rwandan or Pakistani or Algerian that "the signs are so obvious" that we are all going to merge together into to some fuzzy "spaceship earth." These deaths are very real while Conspiratists pontificate pet "Theories" that we are supposedly moving towards a "one world government."Quotations from Jesus and Peter concerning the end of the age.Such is prophesied, and it will eventually happen--perhaps in a way we don't expect. But the pendulum right now is swinging the other way entirely. People are being killed because they cannot get along with their close neighbors and near kinsmen. Think this through, and you will see that the quixotic dream of global human unification seems rather daffy just now. Such "theories" would do you little good in present-day South Korea, Iran, or Israel...
It has been quoted, "The question is not that I am paranoid, but am I paranoid enough..."Matthew 24:6 (NAS) "You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for these things must take place, but that is not yet the end."1 Peter 3:14-15 (NIV) ...Do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.
John 14:27 (NIV) "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid..."
Is paranoia now considered a "fruit of the Spirit?"This great Christian nation is being taken over by infidels and traitors. Don't you know that Washington, DC is filled with Masonic symbols and....
Colossians 2:7 (NIV) So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.As for me, I am compelled by the Holy Spirit not to allow such mental excursions anymore. It is great fun and all, but I have repented. I encourage you to consider repentance as well.If you care to repent with me, you might find it harder than you think. Conspiracy Theory has been compared to mental pornography (see the link section, below), and is difficult to be cured of. Just when you think you are free, these notions may well assail you again with that same delicious, illicit appeal. Let us be soberminded about this: the sirens of paranoia are not so easy to escape--especially half-heartedly. But we must make the effort if we are to grow in the love, joy, and peace that is our inheritance in Christ.
Truth is the antidote--a complete dedication to and immersion in truth. Scripture is the place to start. The truth takes a little more chewing than the cotton candy of delusion, but it leads to growth in the life of Christ and you do not feel nearly so sick afterwards.
You must know that many of the early leaders of our country were Masons. Thus, why be shocked over their symbols being adopted? This much is history. It is like being scandalized over finding a Jewish symbol on an Israeli coin...Why did you write and post this article?I find letters in my daily mailbox taking me to task for my "ignorance" of the Masonic and Enlightenment influence on the formation of my country; I am not unaware of this. Then, alternately, letters haranguing me the that USA was founded as a "Christian nation." Well, which is it?
Our founding fathers, including Benjamin Franklin, spoke in religious terms quite often--in general just as disingenuously as politicians today. Do you take the sappy and pandering religious statements made by modern politicians today seriously? (Let us hope that in 100 years, people are not so naive as to take the religious contrivances of our modern political leaders so seriously.) As in modern politics, there were a few genuine Christians in the mix of our Founding Fathers as well. But who could deny the strong Enlightenment influence in the formation of our country?
I am not a professional historian, but I can point out that it seems inconsistent to claim, on the one hand, that "Masons formed this country" and in the next breath claim that "This is a Christian nation." It was a blend then, and it is a blend now.
If we are concerned that we are losing ground in our nation, then let us fast and pray and become engaged in the public arena rather than turn our ear to the Conspiracy Theory talebearer. For we know his game is to offer us tasty trifles as a narcotic to assuage our laziness and losses. "They cheated," and all that.
I am one who believes it appropriate to fear God, even though many do not.Are you trying to imply that all Conspiracy Theorists MUST be anti-Semitic?In any case, to fear men is CLEARLY forbidden by our Lord and in the whole of Scripture. And this, it must be admitted, is the principal effect of the doctrine of Conspiracy Theory.
And this foul fruit should not surprise us, given the diabolical pedigree of such ideas. Modern Conspiracy Theories were, in the main, deliberately manufactured by anti-Semites to justify violence towards the Jews. A key point of the article is that Conspiracy Theories throughout history have only and ever been used to shift blame from its proper place via slanderous scapegoating.
In short, Conspiracy Theory is a form of psychosis. It is delusion, and thus unfit for believers in the truth.
Often the excuse is "research" so that we can "know what is going on." But let us consider the axiom of "garbage in, garbage out." Would you consider listening to Hitler's propaganda--in his day--a wise use of a person's time and interest? Is one who has fed himself a diet of such rumors and gossip and fabrications "wise" or "learned" or "well researched?" Is it ever a good idea to drink from poison streams when we know the headwaters are toxic? Is listening to Hitler's repackaged anti-Semite ravings NOW any less stupid than then, or is it even more so?
The Conspiracy Theory mental diet of "dark meditations" has poisoned the faith of more than a few, and so in love I hope to call believers to repentance. When I originally wrote the article I was a lone voice, but now there are many others. And many have actually repented, praise God. It is my hope and prayer that you will as well.
I tried to make it clear in the article that this is not the case. It is crucial, however, not to miss the point that the historical source and early promulgation of these tales were from rabid anti-Semites, regardless of what they have now evolved into. Yet, I do not intend to suggest that these must always go together--as a sort of "wrong by association" ploy. Chuck Missler, for example, is a staunch supporter of Israel and has a sincere love for the Jews, and yet also is one of the most famous and persuasive Christian Conspiracy Theory teachers in our time.If we know what the powers of this world have planned for us, then we can be prepared with supplies and ready for what is coming; rather than stick our heads into the ground like so many ostriches--which you seem to be suggesting.This brings up the following problem for Conspiracy teachers: Few people (including Missler) show circumspection and sobriety concerning the "appearance of evil" in joining without qualification as co-belligerents with anti-Semites for the sake of Conspiracy Theory promotion by quoting them, promoting their books, and other such tacit endorsements.
Conspiracy Theory can be the initiation that lures many into extreme groups. It is a well-known strategy that many in the Militia and "Identity" camp will sneak into churches bringing a message of lament over the state of our nation with a close eye to see who will resonate to this message. Those who take the bait will be invited to a "deep teaching" or "narrow path" Bible study, which may end up being a quasi-Christian Militia or Identity front. This needs to be warned against, since many believers have no idea what they are getting into and/or are in disbelief/denial that this is happening in the churches.
Besides warning against wolves who are using Conspiracy Theory as "bait" to recruit out of churches, I am of the view that Conspiracy Theory is wrong in itself. It produces fruit antithetical to the fruit of the Spirit.
Luke 3:8 (KJV) "Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance..."
While pointing out that Conspiracy Theorists end up looking a lot like the historic Illuminati, you missed the point that they more biblically fit the pattern of the Gnostics. The emphasis towards the esoteric, the unprovable, the hankering to meditate and focus on speculations and secret knowledge as a point of pride... is not this the essence of Gnosticism?Matthew 6:19-34 (NIV) "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal... Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? ...So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."Many followers of Conspiracy Theory say "store up."
Jesus says "Do not store up."
Who should we listen to, if we are indeed near "that day?"
Luke 9:24 "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it."
You are agents of Satan and enemies of God since you are trying to turn the eye of the true believers from the massive conspiracy plotted against us.Colossians 2:18-20 (NKJ) Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God. Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world...Even though similarities in pathology and essence are indeed apparent, it may be a stretch to associate the error of Conspiracy Theory with the heresy of Gnosticism. Gnosticism was/is a full-tilt heresy since it deals in content with Christology and the gospel, offering a rival version. The content of Conspiracy Theory is decidedly carnal, which is reason enough to reject it. Thus, at worst it is an error, not a heresy.
From our point of view, as stated above, we do not think that Conspiracy Theories constitute heresy, but an error. Thus, we have friends with whom we fellowship as believers who disagree with us on this, and would encourage you to take the same attitude no matter what you conclude about our position on this matter. They think we are in error, like you do, and we think they are. But from our side we will not accuse nor judge beyond what is appropriate for the subject matter. This is, at worst, an error on someone's part, not something to divide over.Would Jesus have given us such detailed instruction and warnings if he had not wanted us to know what was to occur in the end times?With heretics, we separate, for we "know in Whom we have believed." With those in error (and who is immune?), we "correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction." And by so doing... we may even find that WE were the ones in the wrong! Since this is not an essential doctrine--regardless of our opinions on this--let us unite in the praise and knowledge of Christ.
He wanted us to know what He told us... for a reason.Your view of conspiracy theory all depends on your view of eschatology!I would encourage you to read the Acts 17:11 Bible Study
and/or a more comprehensive article entitled
A Framework for Discerning End Times Teachings
The second quotes a bit from the first.
Not really. Minus the full Preterist view (which asserts that all was fulfilled in 70AD) the pre/mid/pre-wrath/post tribulational viewpoints all must deal with the clear, sequential teaching of the Olivette discourse and 2 Thessalonians 2. In other words, when you place the rapture or whether you separate it at all from the "day of the Lord" has no bearing on whether you are likely to fall for Conspiracy Theories or not. Even pre-tribulationalists concede that it will get awfully bad in "the beginnings of sorrows" before the rapture.Don't you think Satan works through people to further his plans, just as God works through the church to further His?The issue is how this "trouble" (or "great trouble") comes and what precipitates it. What will drive the events leading up to the climax of history? Conspiracy Theory? Or God's successive escalation of judgments in cascading waves?
The Bible never tells us that conspiracy will be the cause, in fact we are warned against just such a temptation at the end of the age. For this reason, reasons of pedigree, fruit, etc. (see article) we must reject the Conspiracy Theory model, regardless of where we think the rapture will occur along the way.
Yes. More often, and more effectively, openly, not conspiratorially.The Bible is FILLED with Conspiracies of all types...Often Conspiracy adherents imply or assert an inexplicable link between evil and conspiracy. But conspiracy can be good, no? I see no such link. Rather, I see conspiracy as a fragile technique of neutral morality with a poor batting average. I see evil as more clearly linked to lies. God never lies... Satan always does; it is His native language. The application to Conspiracy Theories here is obvious, but I stray from the question.
The effectiveness of conspiracies has been highly overrated by Conspiracy Theory believers. In fact, conspiracies normally fail. Think of the conspiracies mentioned in Scripture? Did any succeed? (Read on for more concerning this.) And didn't God tell us NOT to believe in "conspiracy" as a factor of causality just before His return?
If we don't think God understands politics enough to give us advice in these matters, then no less of a carnal authority than Niccolò Machiavelli observed that conspiracy "always involves countless difficulties and dangers" and usually ends in failure.
Perhaps Satan has learned a lesson from all the previous failed conspiracies, and thus God's specific warning at the End of the Age NOT to be tempted to "call conspiracy" what we might otherwise suspect.
Think about it. Roe vs. Wade was lost in open court; etc. etc. etc. for all the massive setbacks of the Church in recent times. Satan's wins of late have been frontal assaults. Perhaps we can learn something from this concerning his future and ultimate strategy.
When has one ever ultimately worked? Search the Scripture and see if you can find even one example.It was a conspiracy that killed our Lord. There is your "one example" of a conspiracy in Scripture that was successful.Why then are you so worried now?
While you have factually met my challenge, who was really getting what he wanted out of this: God or Satan?If you believe monetary policy in this country is run to benefit our citizens under democratic rule, we need to talk. Recessions, wars, inflation have all been used by leaders and policy makers to further their plans...Consider that God's wisdom of victory often looks like losing to worldlings. Jesus won the greatest victory in history by getting beat up, spit on, mocked, abandoned by his closest friends, and hung naked along a road side.
He was so confident in God that before this He responded to Pilate's boasting of decision making authority... with "You would have NO power over me unless it were given you by My Father?" Such confidence. Are we like Him in this respect; carefree about the machinations and motives of men?
Jesus "set His face like flint" to His dismal-to-men yet glorious-to-God destiny. He did not get "wrapped around the axle" about who Pilate was in cahoots with, nor did He care.
Jesus also said "Follow me" to His chosen few. Have we ears to hear Him? Are we calling Him "Lord, Lord," and not doing what He says? Somewhere I got this idea that we were to FOLLOW Him... <smiles>
He won by apparently losing. He showed true strength by trusting God and not lashing out in fleshly strength. For, contrary to carnal assumption, it takes guts and spiritual backbone to wait upon the Lord and to deny our fleshly reactions and impulses; and it is "wimping out" to raise the arm of flesh in macho religious defense. Especially if we "flesh out" in an attempt to thwart the known will of God!
Matthew 26:51-54 (NAS) With that, one of Jesus' companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest [Malchus, Jn 18:10], cutting off his ear. "Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?"
A common rebuttal we get is to rave about the sinister activities of the nefarious Federal Reserve Board and how exploited we all are by these "International Bankers." Well, let us address this soberly.Since being in this "movement" I have met some of the most intelligent people I have ever known...Mexico, Israel, Russia, etc. have real problems with inflation and monetary policy, and citizens in these countries are scrambling to survive and preserve their wealth. We in the US, on the other hand, have exceptionally low inflation and a monetary policy that is the envy of the world, and look who's complaining.
While I am not in favor of the Federal Reserve System, nor am I defending it, we must admit that they have done a rather good job of late. If you think otherwise, then I invite you to put your money into rubles. Or, better still, "store up treasures" somewhere else...
Dare I suggest it, but might we actually praise God for such results? Remember, these are mere men. They have mixed motives and limited capabilities. Thus, God deserves high praise for His grace and mercy to us in this regard, not grumbling. Let us repent of being spoiled crybabies... by getting a sense of perspective and praise.
Philippians 4:6 (NAS) Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.1 Thessalonians 5:16-18,21 (NKJ) Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you... Test all things; hold fast what is good.
I have had an opposite experience, but suppose your point is true. Are these "intelligent people" leading others to obedience and life in Christ; or are they trying to get others to sell their birthright of Christian hope for pot of fear porridge?I will not stand idly by while the prophecies of the end times are being fulfilled...Let us return to the point about the utility of Conspiracy Theories: they are concocted and promoted to shift blame. Intelligent people are undoubtedly better at this than dull people, but at heart this practice is cowardly and manipulative. Consider Nero; there was no Christian conspiracy to burn Rome, but being an "intelligent" guy, he concocted a Conspiracy Theory meant to scapegoat a group he did not like. The Nazi party played the same game, manufacturing propaganda meant to stoke hatred for the Jews. Sadly, pre-war Nazi propaganda books are still popular today as Conspiracy Theory "classics," and are often quoted elsewhere as "research" and source material. But please note that in every case, there is no veracity, no truth, just a fabricated theory made up for the sole purpose to deflect guilt. And so on throughout history.
And but a decades years back, when President Clinton is caught with his pants down... just try to predict the response. Guess what, there is a "vast right wing conspiracy" to blame, which is now a famous line in history. Is the President intelligent? Is that the problem?Can we see the pattern here?
Are we ever told in Scripture to RESIST God's stated will?The Conspiracy Theory teachers have some incredible prophetic insights... they can explain nearly EVERYTHING that is going on in the world today...Are we thinking as God would want, or as Satan?
Matthew 16:21-23 (Wey) From this time Jesus began to explain to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer much cruelty from the Elders and the High Priests and the Scribes, and be put to death, and on the third day be raised to life again. Then Peter took Him aside and began taking Him to task. "Master," he said, "God forbid; this will not be your lot." But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Adversary [Satan]; you are a hindrance to me, because your thoughts are not God's thoughts, but men's."If our voice is one raised to attempt to thwart God's stated plan, will we be rebuked as speaking for Satan, as Peter was?The disciples tried to persuade Jesus from going to Jerusalem because they just knew "something bad" was going to happen. But what was the sin of going to Jerusalem? Was not every Jew commanded to do this at feast time? Beyond this, was not this particular Jew going to His destiny as prophesied by God? The evil was not in these things, but in the hearts of those who put Him to death. Should the disciples then have resisted God's will?
Luke 24:25-26 (Wey) Then [Jesus, after His resurrection] said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?"Imagine a group of disciples going a little overboard in arrogance and carnality and deciding to attempt to thwart the predicted "evil" of the crucifixion. Imagine them colluding into little groups and arming into militias and publishing little newsletters and having meetings of "like minded" people and such. Boy are they smart! Boy are they "getting involved." Boy are they filled with self-righteous zeal and fleshly gung-ho energy! Now imagine them actually DOING SOMETHING to attempt to thwart God's will. It is hard to imagine God would let people go so far wrong without striking them dead. In any case we never read of such. Jesus, in love, dealt with such sins quickly to the saving of those who might have gone further if not rebuked.Are you in this chosen group?
If God is worth serving or dealing with at all, then He must always be correct. If we choose to resist his stated will, it is at our own peril. Our efforts must fail. By arrogantly choosing to being an "adversary" to God--since we apparently know better than Him what is best--we end up with the mind and heart (and may God forbid, deeds) of Satan rather than of Christ.
Along these lines, I always think of the absurdity of motive in the "Omen" movies. I mean, here is this priest--supposedly moved to serve God in religious zeal--trying to thwart God's will. This inconsistent and irrational motive should not have got past the proofreaders. If God has said it will happen for sure, and your knowledge of the future event comes from Him, will you try to thwart it? Would this not be like sawing off your own legs while you are standing? If you could stop what was prophesied, God would be a liar, and your entire foundation for action a fraud. If you could drive a wooden stake through the heart of the "Antichrist" you could be sure he was NOT the one and you just murdered an innocent man or child. You lose either way: either trying and failing to resist God's will or by being successful and finding you were just a deceived murderer. Of course, this was only a silly movie and no one in real life would ever be so stupid...
On second thought, though, perhaps this plot is not so farfetched. Many today think we are at the end of the age, and yet still think it meritorious "to resist an evil man" in "that day" in direct disobedience to the one they call "Lord, Lord!"
I wonder if the zeal of some modern "Peters" today will lead to acts that God will have to "undo," like Malchus' ear? Do you want to have God intervene supernaturally to undo your work?
Or perhaps people of this mindset will just end up as murderers... having attacked conspiratorial ghosts... and having struck flesh and blood people instead. In this case, there will be nothing to undo, but only judgment awaiting.
Don't be included among them.
Again, we must judge prophets, or prophetic teachers, on their fruit, not on their esoteric appeal or wild-eyed claims.Closing comments and additional points for those with a desire to repent.
Psalms 131:1 (KJV) Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.True prophetic teaching will lead people to prepare and store up in the heavenlies, not to be further distracted with the kingdoms of this world. Proper prophetic emphasis should be to encourage others to be supplied with the oil of the Holy Spirit, not with guns or freeze-dried food.
The emphasis of Christ was on the saving of men, not on flights of fancy or political revolution. Society will never be brought into perfection until all we see is destroyed and Christ rules as Lord on earth. In the meantime, God appoints kings and rulers, as a blessing or judgment depending on the minds and hearts and deeds of men... as they deserve.
We should be preparing as a bride would--with a view to be taken away by our beloved. If we know something bad must proceed the bridegroom's return, should we not welcome it? If we are jumping at ghosts and cowering in the bunker of Conspiracy Theory instead of pining for His return and living in purity, holiness, joy, and expectation, what will the bridegroom say to us when He comes and finds us in such a state? What do you think? Will He say "well done"... or something else?
Even if God's stated will involves hardship and suffering, we should not be found resisting it. For if such is our lot, then we have been found worthy... (Acts 5:41, 2 Thessalonians 1:5) and ought to rejoice as would befit those who are sons and daughters of God.
If we truly have prophetic insight into the future, then let us imitate Paul as he found the life of Christ really in him.
Acts 20:18-24 (NIV) When they arrived, he [Paul] said to them: "You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews. You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus. And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."1Corinthians 11:1 (Wey) "Be imitators of me [Paul], in so far as I in turn am an imitator of Christ."
John 15:14-15,20a (NAS) [Jesus] "You are My friends, if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.... Remember the word that I said to you, 'A slave is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you."
Ephesians 4:14-15 (NRS) We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people's trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.For those engrossed in Conspiracy Theory, I plead with you to turn from these toxic doctrines and esoterica and behold, instead, the Son of God. If we look to Him and draw from His well of salvation, rather than paranoia and fear and slander and delusion we will produce the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This is what God is interested in.1Corinthians 14:20 (NRS) Brothers and sisters, do not be children in your thinking; rather, be infants in evil, but in thinking be adults.
Romans 16:19 (NIV) ...I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.
Christ has introduced HIS kingdom on earth, and this should be our focus. While He was here, He did not chase shooting stars or hunt out Satan with a shotgun or pontificate about who Pilate was hobnobbing with--and get it all wrong at that. He spoke of things eternal; things that were real. In John 3:11 He says "We speak of what we KNOW." What do you know, really? "I know in whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able..." Let us clear our minds and mouths of Conspiracy Theory slander so that we can speak of what we know and what ought be the testimony and fruit of our lips.
1 Timothy 1:3-7 (NRS) I urge you, as I did when I was on my way to Macedonia, to remain in Ephesus so that you may instruct certain people not to teach strange doctrines, and not to occupy themselves with MYTHS and endless genealogies that promote speculations, rather than the divine training that is known by faith. But the aim of such instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith. Some people have deviated from these and turned to meaningless talk, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make assertions.1 Timothy 4:6-7 (NAS) In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following. But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women.
2 Timothy 2:14-17 (Wey) Bring all this to men's remembrances, solemnly charging them in the presence of God not to waste time in wrangling about mere words, a course which is altogether unprofitable and tends only to the ruin of the hearers. Earnestly seek to commend yourself to God as a servant who, because of his straightforward dealing with the word of truth, has no reason to feel any shame. But from irreligious and frivolous talk hold aloof, for those who indulge in it will proceed from bad to worse in impiety, and their teaching will spread like a running sore. Hymenaeus and Philetus are men of that stamp.
Matthew 7:16-20 (Wey) "You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will know them by their fruits."
Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) ...The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Luke 6:43-44 (NIV) "No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit... Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?"
Matthew 3:8 (NAS) "Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance."
Select Links
An insightful historical overview by Daniel Pipes, "Conspiracy: How the Paranoid Style Flourishes and Where It Comes from," is highly recommended for those interested in further research. It can be purchased at amazon.com. Here is an excerpt from an amazon.com reviewer:"There is often a profane thrill to conspiracy talk: People may dismiss these theories as the ravings of lunatics, but frequently not until they've listened wide-eyed to a lengthy narrative. Sometimes this material can be appalling, especially when a history of evil criminality is attributed to members of a religious group such as the Catholics or (of course) the Jews. In these cases, one can come away from the material with a sense of degradation, precisely as in the case of the most debased kind of pornography."For a survey of "Christian Identity" doctrine and Militia / Patriot history, see Wikipedia's entry
The book "Selling Fear" by Dr. Gregory Camp, a professional historian, is a comprehensive analysis of the incorporation of secular Conspiracy Theory into prophecy teachings. Beginning with the Illuminati legend, Dr. Camp explores such conspiracies as Freemasonry, the Federal Reserve, the Council on Foreign Relations and related groups. Available through local Christian bookstores or at amazon.com.
For an excellent article entitled "America's Patriot Movement: Infiltrating the Church with a Gospel of Hate" see the Winter 1997 version of the Christian Research Institute Journal (contact CRI at: 714 858-6100), or get the book written by Richard Abanes, "American Militias : Rebellion, Racism & Religion," at amazon.com. The trip to amazon.com for this and the above books is interesting just to read the rants from those addicted to the Theory, and in this case Richard's long-suffering replies.
Lyndon LaRouche, the adopted father and vigorous populist of modern Conspiracy Theory is still tinkering with his Frankenstein. Enter in to harms way at http://www.larouchepub.com/
On the Amway "Satan Rumor" see this link.
Back to article "Christians and Conspiracy Theories - A Call to Repentance"
email us