Beyond Babylon: Europe's Rise and Fall - Chapter 4 - Victims of Tradition

Beyond Babylon: Europe's Rise and Fall
by David Ben-Ariel

Chapter 4
Victims of Tradition

True to His Word, God settled Israel in the Promised Land of good and plenty, offering golden opportunities and every given advantage. But unlike Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, their descendants took everything for granted, began to lose contact with God’s reality, and actually forgot who rescued them from Egypt!

God warned Israel for years about the dangerous road they were taking. He patiently tried every possible approach to reach them, and exhausted various methods to get through to them before it was too late. But He had nothing to show for it. All His efforts to work with these “repeat offenders” hadn’t produced any positive results. God’s people failed to respond to His message and only grew more bullheaded. There was only one option left for disciplining Israel’s
deviants: NATIONAL CAPTIVITY!

Israel was imprisoned in exile! Jacob discovered how dreadful wardens can be. Even Israel’s hardened criminals (Ps. 95:8) were soft compared to their callous conquerors (Deut. 28:50). Subjected to sadists, terrorized by torture, Israel begged and cried for God to save them (Ps. 107:13). In their hell-holes, their “brain-cells” and think tanks, they had plenty of time to reflect upon their wayward lives (Isa. 24:22). When the heat’s on, it can result in some serious
soul-searching (Isa. 48:10). Usually it’s easier to learn and listen when you’re down and out, because you have nothing to lose and everything to gain: “And if they are bound in fetters, held in the cords of affliction, then he tells them their [crime] and [what their problem is]—that they have acted defiantly. He also opens their ear to instruction, and commands that they turn from [their wrong ways and life of crime]” (Job 36:8-10).

It’s typical to turn to God—when you’re in trouble (Hos. 5:15). The true test of character is when you’re out of trouble: will you remain in your new relationship? Israel had sued, in effect, for divorce when they broke their vows and committed adultery (idolatry). Prophets substantiated these charges. Israel was convicted and led away, separated from their God-given country.

Humbled by circumstances, Israel became more ready and willing to try and do what’s right. Captivity gave them sufficient time to think things over and realize their relationship with God hadn’t been the greatest. They remembered God’s attempts to patch things up and their stubborn refusal to accept the “marriage counseling” offered by the prophets.

Jacob had gone downhill fast and degenerated into a party animal (deforming his God-given appearance). He let himself go and indulged in degradation until his deportation. But finally sick of sowing his wild oats and only heaping up more trouble for himself, deprived of his “homelife” (that he had taken for granted) and
missing his homeland—Israel repented. Nothing could compare to God (Hos.13: 9-11).

Incentive to Improve

Whenever our behavior gets out of control, GOD LETS US LOSE CONTROL! When we’re held hostage to bad habits, and refuse to let them go, WE GO INTO CAPTIVITY! A national lack of discipline results in God sending CORRECTIVE PUNISHMENT! Then we wake up and get with it, and beg God to save us. The whole purpose is to bring us to our knees and senses. That’s the main reason
behind God letting us fall to Europe: to rise again in Christ!

God doesn’t demand perfection, but He does expect progress. His message of love and forgiveness ought to encourage everybody to make something of themselves. We’re to improve our lives. He even offers us a loan (His Holy Spirit) to better ourselves, and He promises to always stay by our side and see us through: “Fear not, for I am with you be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isa. 41:10).

God doesn’t kick you when you’re down, but helps you to get back up and going: “For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You” (Ps. 86:5). God isn’t interested in our downfall or damnation, but in our forgiveness and salvation. “For God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:17). God loves you!

National Heroes

Whenever Israel would change their ways—having second thoughts during their distress, reconsidering their options in times of trouble—God would send relief. A charismatic individual (or group of individuals) would stand out from the rest, inspired with an urgent sense of mission, and receive empowerment to rescue Israel. They’d liberate their land, beat back their foes, and restore Israel to their God (Judges 2:18).

These folk heroes were known as “judges.” God had chosen them from all walks of life and from all areas of Israel. Many are familiar with Samson, Deborah, or Gideon—just to name a few. The biblical book of Judges is devoted to recounting their daring expeditions. But their duties went far beyond the military—that was only a means to an end (Zech. 4:6). They were more interested in waging war against those causes for Israel’s relapse.

These guerrillas for God and commandos for Christ would save Israel from their enemies, and then attempt to save them from themselves. Israel was their own worst enemy. The army chaplains had their work cut out for them to exorcise Israel of their demonic practices (Ps. 106:37). They never truly eradicated the evil influences of paganism, but they managed to keep the problem under control.

As guidance counselors and parole officers, the Judges prescribed national therapy. They explored the reasons why Israel would fall off the wagon and go on a backsliding binge. They urged the nation to recognize their habitual pattern and exercise greater self-restraint. How? By avoiding the Babylonian bars, the Canaanite clubs, and the Egyptian dens of iniquity! Israel was cautioned against spiritual promiscuity, and encouraged to stay sober and celibate. They were to
remain separate, act different, and be distinct from all the others, by strengthening their ties with the God of the Hebrews.

Never Forget!

The Judges were to champion Israel’s cause and remind them of their humble origins. How we were a nobody, as good as dead, enslaved to Egypt—but by God’s grace we were made over, in His own image, at Mt. Sinai (Ezek. 16). We were to remember our roots: because God is committed to the covenant that He made with our Fathers, He chose us as His People. We’re to NEVER FORGET how
unique our experience was: “For ask now concerning the days that are past… whether any great thing like this has happened, or anything like it has been heard… did God ever try to go and take for Himself a nation from the midst of another nation… according to all that the LORD your God did for you in Egypt… because He loved your fathers, therefore He chose their descendants after them and He brought you out of Egypt with His Presence, with His mighty power” (Deut. 4:32-37).

But we haven’t been grateful! We’ve forgotten WE OWE OUR EXISTENCE TO GOD! We need to live mindful of that fact and live accordingly. If there’s a God, why live like there isn’t one? If Jesus is the Messiah, then why ignore Him?

We’ve gone off into our own little worlds. Consequently, we’re on the verge of a breakdown. Our nation’s about to collapse! We’re going into captivity! We’ve trampled precious values for worthless flings, and now permit perverts to redefine what’s “normal.”

Submerged in a moral morass, we suffer from gang violence, abortion and AIDS, and yet the movie and music industries continue to create more monstrosities. We need to stop those pyromaniacs from throwing fuel on society’s fire. The coming holocaust is going to burn us all!

We’ve been living a lie and have loved to indulge in deception. “Don’t confuse me with the facts” has been our shameful attitude, and truth has been treated like some social outcast. Therefore, God threatens to use Europe to wake us up!

Crumbling Foundations

The Judges were to warn us that we’ve forgotten the foundation for our family’s stability and national security. We’ve downplayed the roots of true religion and proper government: the Mosaic Law.

We’ve cut ourselves off from God’s covenant, undermined our future, and divorced ourselves from reality. In short, we’ve been acting like A BASTARD NATION! We’re to return to the faith of our Fathers, and end our strained relationship with them (Malachi 4:4-6). We haven’t been “like father, like son.” And we haven’t seen eye to eye, because we’ve been distracted. We’re torn between two lovers: God and mammon (worldly riches).

The American dream of religious freedom has been abandoned in pursuit of mindless materialism! God says to seek first the Kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you. But we’ve got our priorities backwards. We’ve turned our blessing into a CURSE!

Joseph’s birthright, with all of its health and wealth, has been idolized and abused! We’ve gone out of our way to corrupt the divine image into self-made men and women (Deut. 8:17). We insist on playing by our own rules and reject any thought of possible consequences. Can justice be delayed forever?

Twisted Priorities

Since we’re A NATION LIVING IN SIN—Jacob disowns us, Abraham doesn’t recognize us, and Isaac mourns our mixed marriages. Israel’s birthmark was obedience to God (Gen. 18:19).

The rabbis have noted that, for all intents and purposes, the “Lost Ten Tribes” are like Gentiles today. However, we’re to return to the God, faith and works of our Fathers. We’re to honor and respect them by following our Father God: “Doubtless You are our Father, though Abraham was ignorant of us, and Israel does not acknowledge us. You, O LORD, are our Father [not the pope] our Redeemer from Everlasting is Your name” (Isa. 63:16).

Each time God rescued us from others to serve Him again, we promised to straighten up and get our act together and keep our part of the bargain: God would be our GOD and we would be His people. However, characteristic of our unfaithfulness, we continually broke our promise and betrayed our faith (Hos. 6:7).

We’ve neglected God’s Word and have taken His truth lightly. How many people do you know who read the Bible? And try to live by it? Today it’s acceptable to know all sorts of sports figures, music trivia, and entertainment facts, but remain totally ignorant about what the Bible says! People are prejudiced against it that haven’t even read it. Others have attempted to read it and couldn’t understand the old English—so get a modern version. Don’t give up!

We “can’t afford” to tithe and yet somehow always manage to find money for other things: cigarettes and beer, new clothes, another car or cruise, etc. (Malachi 3:8-10). God says we’ve stolen from Him! He’s put the whole nation under a curse. We keep piling up our sins worse than the national debt. No wonder our money doesn’t seem to stretch too far and it’s becoming more difficult to make ends meet. We’re throwing away good money after bad each time we withhold tribute to God (Hag. 1:3-11). There are spiritual factors behind our economic crisis! It’s in our best national interest to obey God and invest some time in personal Bible study.

Illegitimate Children

But instead of developing our relationship with God and staying sober and celibate, we’ve whored around and given birth to pagans (Hos. 5:7). That’s why God can’t accept us as His National Priest since our lifestyle choice misrepresents Him! God doesn’t want any part in our perversion. Since we’ve denied His natural order of things, He won’t recognize our illegitimate children! He hasn’t fathered them (Hos. 4:6).

God says we haven’t been humble and obedient like Abraham—the Father of the faithful—but are “…a rebellious people, lying children, children who will not hear the law of the LORD…” and don’t want anything to do with the truth. We don’t want to be shown where we’re wrong, and we don’t want to hear about it (Isa. 30:9-11). “So you shall say to them, ‘This is a nation that does not obey the voice of the LORD their God nor receive correction” (Jer. 7:28). We’ve orphaned ourselves and act like bastards!

Drunks and Whores

Instead of becoming a model-nation we’ve become a STRIPPER! We’ve taken all the fine things that God’s given us and laid them out before foreigners (Hos. 2:1-13). We’ve squandered our time and energy in pagan ways and heathen practices. Therefore, God’s going to STRIP AWAY OUR PEACE AND PROSPERITY! We’re going to be left exposed to the elements and stripped bare before NAKED
AGGRESSION! Since we refuse to return to God, we’ll be sent back into SLAVERY!

We’re a nation of DRUNKS AND WHORES—so God’s going to let us hit bottom so hard it’ll appear we’ll never bounce back! God’s no longer going to enable us to carry on in our ways, drinking ourselves to death and dying for sex. We’ve gone from bad to worse: “You have stricken them, but they have not grieved You have
consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction. They have made their faces harder than rock they have refused to return” (Jer. 5:3).

We’ve become so hard-hearted, so cold and cruel, nothing seems to faze us anymore, but God’s taking away His protective shield (Isa. 5:5). We’re going to be ravaged by the weather and our enemies! But we don’t attribute the dramatic increase in “natural disasters” and crazy weather to a spiritual upheaval. We fail to see any connection between our land and our lives, even though Solomon was wise enough to know there’s a link (1 Kgs. 8:35-40). We should realize that nature doesn’t have a mind of its own, but can be used by our Creator to get us thinking (Jer. 5:20-25).

Eviction Notices

We’ve left God’s ways, throughout history, to follow men’s ideas. We’d lose our love for the truth and become enamored with error. Due to this spiritual insult and breach of contract, God would send a number of eviction notices. He’d cite us for breaking our lease and inform us we’d worn out our welcome. But we’d rip us those notices and abuse those who delivered them: “And the LORD has sent to you all His servants the prophets, rising early and sending them [far in advance], but you have not listened nor inclined your ear to hear. They said, ‘Repent now every one of his evil way and his evil doings, and dwell in the land that the LORD has given to you and your fathers forever and ever” (Jer. 25:4-5).

We didn’t want to be reminded that God had set us free from men to serve Him. We could only call the Holy Land home as long as we remained holy! There were clauses that if we failed to make repairs and keep the place clean, we could forfeit our biblical right to the land and be DISINHERITED (Jer. 17:4).

When Egypt denied us religious freedom and imposed their beliefs on our forefathers, God prepared the Promised Land to accommodate His people. This Homeland was to serve as God’s Sanctuary and Israel’s Haven. It offered us rest from politico-religious persecution. We were now free to obey God and throw off
the shackles of human traditions. That was God’s Purpose for bringing us out from under the illusions of men: “For He remembered His holy promise, and Abraham his servant. He brought out His people with joy, His chosen ones with gladness. He gave them the lands of the Gentiles, and they inherited the labor of the nations, that they might observe His statutes and keep His laws” (Ps.
105:42-45).

God promised Abraham, His servant, that He would choose his descendants as His Servant-Nation—that’s why Israel is called the “Chosen People.” Our deliverance from Egypt was only a type of our future deliverance from Europe!

What we’ve seen, on a regular basis, is that we must be saved from our sins—not just from men. Moses represented Christ who’ll truly set Israel free from this vicious cycle of sin and slavery. Because as long as Israel’s spiritual giants lived, the people followed their example but Israel’s resolve died as soon as they did. Israel was only faithful in being fickle. “Therefore You delivered them into the hand of their enemies, who oppressed them and in the time of their trouble, when they cried to You, You heard from heaven and according to Your abundant mercies You gave them deliverers who saved them from the hand of their enemies… and testified against them, that You might bring them back to Your law… And they shrugged their shoulders, stiffened their necks, and would not hear…Nevertheless in Your great mercy You did not utterly [destroy] them
nor forsake them for You are God, gracious and merciful” (Neh. 9:26-31).

Chaos and Confusion

In between Judges, SPIRITUAL ANARCHY reigned! Everyone was on his own. It was “let your conscience be your guide,” and there were as many “unlicensed guides” as there were Israelites. They had rejected their common consensus: God’s law. Without the compass of God’s commandments they quickly became lost in chaos and confusion! From beginning to end, Israel insisted on doing their own thing: “In those days there was no king [moral leadership] in Israel everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25).

Doesn’t it sound like today? It depends on what you mean by “right!” It’s been said, “Civilizations do not give out, they give in. In a society where anything goes, eventually, everything will” (John Underwood/The Boston Globe). Israel’s liberty enslaved them! Without exercising the necessary self-restraint, Israel drowned in self-indulgence. They had forgotten—and refused to remember—
God had set us free to obey Him. They forgot that self-denial’s crucial for self-fulfillment. They rejected the character of God’s commandments to cater to self-interests. Therefore, resisting the Spirit, God gave them over to the flesh.

Playing “God” was Israel’s mortal wound. Demanding their rights, they determined for themselves what’s right and what’s wrong, rejecting God’s standard of good and evil. For example: God had commanded the complete destruction of the Canaanites. As the Life-Giver and Creator-Sustainer of the entire universe, God has the prerogative of deciding who should live or die and if and when. Not just for men, but for entire nations and/or peoples too.

The Bible records God’s verdicts on everything from individuals to families, cities to nations—even the whole surface of the Earth once! Yes, the Hebrew God commanded Israel to participate in “ethnic cleansing”—to commit genocide in His Name. God authorized Canaan’s destruction and sealed their fate. But Israel had
“a better idea.” They wanted to be more humane and understanding than God is, so instead of obeying God’s clear-cut commands, Israel decided to compromise. They only killed some and spared others, defying the Executive Order. God sanctioned Canaan’s death and Israel pardoned them instead. And God does command capital punishment: “…for [the minister of state] does not bear the sword in vain for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him
who practices evil” (Rom. 13:4). Vengeance is God’s, but He often takes it out through human instruments. There isn’t any contradiction: “Thou shall not kill” is more properly translated “murder” (Matt. 5:21).

After seeing time and again how twisted “Palestinian” parents rejoice, and their people dance like demons in the street, whenever a mass murder/terrorist attack has occurred, it’s easier to understand how God knows some have already forfeited any future for themselves and have condemned their own children.

Mercy of Fools

Israel paid dearly for their mercy of fools. It eventually cost them their land and lives! We can’t afford to compromise with sin—it only leads to catastrophe. Sin must be uprooted or we’ll defeat our purpose. Israel’s promotion of “peace and understanding” robbed them of what sense they did possess. Such a ridiculous “peace” only served the interests of Israel’s enemies. It enabled the pagans to
prosper and grow until they could turn around and declare a CULTURAL WAR against them (Deut. 7:1-16).

Israel’s liberal policy of “separate but equal” gave way to the more dangerous “peaceful coexistence” (Judges 1:28). Did God try and live with Satan? Did He just dismiss the attempted coup as an “understandable” outburst of anger and frustration? Or did God throw Satan and his insurgents out? It wasn’t an issue of whether “there’s enough room for both”—it was an act of justice! Yet Israel’s
state of confusion attempts to live side by side with sworn enemies! They’re actually dying to try anything but what God says.

The realist rabbi, Meir Kahane, was absolutely right. He cited Israel’s reluctance to “sink to the level” of the Arab terrorists as the reason they continue to be sunk six feet beneath them! Self-defense isn’t about what you want to do, but what you’ve got to do to survive.

While the “Canaanite” minorities plot their takeover, waiting for their first opportunity to revolt, Israel blindly engages in “peace talks,” flirted with the false notion of “limited autonomy” and then went all the way and surrendered biblical territories to their sworn enemies. God commands Canaan’s death—or at least EXPULSION! Two peoples living on the same land, both claiming it by divine right, will never know a “just and lasting peace” (Judges 11:24). Common sense
should tell us that much, regardless of “Mideast experts.” Until decisive action is taken, and the biblical solution enforced, we’ll only witness an escalation in this WAR OF ATTRITION, as the enemies of God and Israel get away with murder and see how terrorism is rewarded.

Everything’s Upside Down

Part of the punishment to come upon our people is: “The alien who is among you shall rise higher and higher above you, and you shall come down lower and lower. He shall lend to you, but you shall not lend to him he shall be the head, and you shall be the tail” (Deut.28:43-44).

Today that’s happening! It’s going on right before our eyes! Mass voter registration, “social mobility,” and “economic empowerment” are running us right out of our own neighborhoods, public office and the work place. The minorities in our midst have turned the tables and reversed the roles—with our help! How sick. Reverse discrimination is the law of the land. Quotas condemn and exclude our own people. The WASPs are being chased by the “Canaanites!”

Minorities Out of Control

The Gentile animals stalk our land, rob us of our children, and steal us blind (Lev. 26:22). We’re afraid to leave our homes, our streets are unsafe to stroll, and our inner cities are a wasteland. Our prisons are overflowing, welfare is overtaxed, and the white man’s overburdened. Everywhere we look, the terror and devastation testify we’re being CURSED FOR DISOBEDIENCE (Deut. 28:15).

Our national energy’s sapped, our strength’s drained, and our resources spent. Foreigners have exploited JOSEPH’S BIRTHRIGHT.

Our inheritance is almost gone. We’ve forgotten “charity begins at home.” America’s too young to die, Britain’s growing old and bald before his time, but we still refuse to go to our Doctor: “Ephraim [the British Commonwealth] has mixed himself among the peoples. Ephraim is [half-baked]. Aliens have devoured his strength, but he does not know it. Yes, gray hairs are here and there on him, yet [we still don’t get it]. And the pride of Israel [America/Britain] testifies to his face [we’re confronted with the facts and figures—they’re right before us], but they do not return to the LORD their God, nor seek Him for all this” (Hos. 7:8-10). What will it take? What do we demand?

Drowning in Debt

As we go further into NATIONAL DEBT AND DISGRACE, instead of turning to God for divine assistance, we turn to foreigners for loans! But it’ll be our downfall! Will Europe or Saudi Arabia offer to bail us out? Japan or China keep us afloat? Or will they forcibly put us into receivership? Throw us into debtor’s jail? Require FORCED LABOR? Who hasn’t heard of loan sharks (Hos. 7:11-12)? Or how they fly into a frenzy over blood money? They won’t just break our bones—they’ll BOMB OUR CITIES (Ezek. 6:6).

If Israel (the Anglo-Israelite and Jewish peoples) insists on sacrificing national security (out of fear of world opinion, instead of exercising faith in God), or sells themselves short because of UN/EU politics, they’ll have signed their own death warrant! To submit to this needless blackmail, or shamefully follow others orders, is tantamount to treason!

Too many chant the mindless mantra of “Never again!” that mesmerizes fools for peace at any price and rings hollow because the Jews are going again, slowly but surely, through the lying peace process of phased destruction. The only ones (thank God for the precious few) who are making any fuss about it, dragging their heels rather than go like sheep to the slaughter, are roundly condemned by their own leaders and American administrations and worthless world opinion as “enemies of peace,” “obstacles to peace,” and other name brands because they don’t want to “rest in peace” but live and prosper.

God is Israel’s One and Only! He’s our Husband and King. We’re not supposed to allow other heads-of-state to push us around or dare bully us with threats. Doesn’t a descendant of David (Queen Elizabeth II), rule from God’s earthly Throne (1 Chron. 29:23)? Aren’t we God’s Earthly Kingdom (1 Chron. 28:5)? Didn’t we tell the world to take notice when we defied pharaoh to obey God? Wasn’t that Message loud and clear? Are we afraid to take a stand now? Isn’t Israel’s KING able to back up His claims (Amos 5:6)? Can’t He protect and reward those who risk it all to follow His lead? Isn’t our GOD above and over all, and in control of everything?

Failing Foreign Affairs

Nevertheless, Israel—starved for this world’s affection and seeking their approval (Jer. 4:30)—bent over backwards to oblige every evil and support every cause (Ezek. 16:33). Since “two’s company, but three’s a crowd,” Israel’s worship of the “Lord” (Baal) and his mistress, the “queen of heaven,” left little room for the
Hebrew God (Judges 2:11-13). But just as well, because the BIBLICAL GOD refuses to associate with such bad company (Ex. 34:14).

Israel fell for the foreigners, foolishly believed their lies, and blindly loved their ways: “They did not destroy the peoples, concerning whom the LORD had commanded them, but they mingled with the Gentiles and learned their works…” (Psalm 106:34-35). In doing so, Jacob scrapped God’s righteousness for human ethics (Psalm 119:172), substituted pagan holidays for God’s holy days, and forgot God’s blueprint to construct their own “new world order” (1 Thes. 5:3).

In their mad rush to assimilate, Israel accepted Canaan’s chic ways and downplayed their differences. This “progressive” stance caused many to fall, and Jacob’s tolerance destroyed his own immunity! Ancient Israel fell prey to every con-artist (painting pretty pictures of peace), passing phase or new fad—drunk on the ecumenical spirits. Yes, “…they have erred through wine, and through intoxicating drink are out of the way the priest and the prophet have erred through intoxicating drink, they are swallowed up by wine, they are out of [their wits and gone astray] through intoxicating drink they [can’t see or think straight], they stumble in judgment [they can’t even walk a straight line]. For all tables are full of vomit and filth no place is clean” (Isa. 28:7-8). The party’s over, the place is trashed, and everybody’s going to wake up with a HORRIBLE HANG-OVER!

It’s interesting to note that, during my days as a lowly kibbutz-volunteer, the British were notorious for being drunks. They had earned such a bad reputation that some kibbutzim and moshavim wouldn’t accept any English volunteers. God condemns the Sceptered Isle for being SPIRITUAL DRUNKS! He castigates “…the crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim” (Isa. 28:1-3). Of course, we’ve all been a bunch of drunks and whores, in love with Babylonian babes and brew: “Harlotry, wine, and new wine enslave the heart… For the spirit of [promiscuity] has caused them to stray [from the truth], and they have [whored around] against their God”
(Hos. 4:11-12). What nation hasn’t had one too many Catholic concoctions (Rev. 17:2)? It’s past time to GET SOBER!

An Identity Crisis

Israel’s compromise tested cancerous, Jacob’s new “understanding” proved contagious their “enlightened” attempts to appease others diseased themselves! It ate away at the very fabric of their biblical society. In pushing the “peace process” forward, Israel fell backwards, sacrificed their divine culture, and became confused about their own identity. Jacob’s experiment with civil rights backfired, as their “equals” became emboldened at Israel’s expense!

Today, by the same token, MILITANT MINORITIES have a dream: SUPREMACY. They only clamor for “equality” as a stepping-stone for their real goal: replacing those in the positions of power with their own kind. (Please notice I stress militant minorities. There are many minority members who aren’t out to harm or
undermine Israelite culture and are a wonderful part of it). Multiculturalism is mad and destroys national unity!

Likewise, the early Church faithfully kept the SEVENTH DAY SABBATH (sunset Friday to sunset Saturday) for several hundred years. Later, under political pressure and religious opposition, they backed down. They allowed the observance of “the venerable day of the Sun” back-to-back with God’s Sabbath. What a tragic mistake! We’re still suffering the consequences.

By sanctioning Sunday services, the Church gave SUNday the necessary clout to claim “equality.” That peaceful coexistence was short-lived, however. Soon the Gentile “converts” managed to make it illegal for Christians to keep the “Jewish Sabbath!” In 365, during the Council of Laodicea, they forcibly substituted Sunday for the seventh day Sabbath!

Earlier, to promote “unity”—NOT the truth—the Council of Nicea (in 325 AD) ruled the Christian PASSOVER (commemorating Jesus’ death) had to go! Whoever disagreed faced the death penalty! Their religious fabrication supposedly emphasized Jesus’ resurrection—in direct violation of Christ’s command! Eventually they stopped their charade of keeping Passover, and called their
celebration “Easter.” But they forgot to give it a Christian-sounding name. Easter’s the Babylonian spring goddess—Baal’s playboy bunny! They had given up the kosher Lamb of God for a rabbit trick!

In time, anything even remotely “Jewish” about the Church came under attack. The Gentile minority-turned-majority demanded changes to reflect their “universal” appeal. They wanted to appear more inclusive—at the expense of the Church’s Jewish (read biblical) heritage. They were intent on destroying the doctrines they once held dear.

Changes… for the Worse!

Misguided ministers GUTTED THE BODY OF CHRIST and were now picking at the bones (Micah 3:1-3). In their racist zeal, they were throwing out the original truths and replacing them with popular error. The early Church, with its now-derided leaders, should’ve NEVER attempted to power-share! It only led to disaster. They foolishly enabled their “equals” to oust them (3 John 9, 10).

Not everyone was thrilled about all the changes taking place. The flood of “new truths” had come so fast and furious, many were caught off guard (Rev.12: 15). They were simply unprepared for this “scholarly” onslaught (Malachi 2:12). Some expressed concern, others questioned what was going on, but everyone sensed
something just wasn’t right. It seemed almost overnight everything they’d been taught was somehow wrong. Now there were DIFFERENT MEANINGS given to biblical words, and supposedly the Church now had a “deeper understanding” of various scriptures.

What was troublesome to longtime members, though, was that these DOCTRINAL DIFFERENCES didn’t enhance or add to whatever they already understood—it took away, undermined, or totally denied what they’d PROVEN to be true. They felt that they shouldn’t give these new “Christians” the time of day (Ga. 2:5) and agreed with the words of the apostle Paul: “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God?” (2 Cor. 6:14-16). Therefore, they refused to surrender God’s truth, accept a pagan truce, or enter into a marriage of convenience. They knew better! And they weren’t going to deny God’s truth or ignore it—despite charges of “refusing to grow” and “worshiping a man” (Paul). They knew the true source of such slander (Rev.12: 10).

The Faithful Few

Those Church of God members, who remained faithful to the original Christian beliefs and authentic practices, were forced to flee for their lives. They became part of the “underground” and got involved in “the resistance movement.” They had to hide out in the mountains and valleys of Europe and Asia Minor to escape persecution and death (Rev.12: 6).

Beyond the pale of the pope, these “wandering Jews” carried their “Sanctuary” with them, and its attendant truths (Heb.11: 38). During their wilderness trek, God’s true Church would retain its unique identity (John 17: 11). Though banished upon penalty of death, these freedom fighters kept the FAITH alive (John 8:32).
They knew that God would end their exile, and waited patiently for TRUTH to triumph over tradition.

Voices of Dissent

Israel’s attempts at evenhandedness only enabled the Canaanites to encroach upon their cultural territory. Slowly but surely, Israel’s biblical blueprint became blurred, their distinct identity smudged, and their Manifest Destiny faded. They had forgotten their purpose for living and lost their national zeal.

Therefore, God sent them patriotic messengers to remind them. They warned their country was going down in defeat, if they didn’t rise to the occasion. Israel rejected such lone individuals—crying out in the midst of their spiritual wilderness—as uninspired and backwards (Isa. 40:3). They despised their Message as too narrow-minded, racist and behind the times. Strangely, every time Israel backslid further, they proudly presented it as “progress!” They
resisted any change for the better, and fought against proposals to restore their national faith and confidence. Israel opposed every effort to “turn the clock back” and laughed at the idea that they were going to lose the next big war (Hab.1:5-6). They wouldn’t hear of it (Acts 7:51).

Not content to just leave well enough alone, the PRIESTS AND POLITICIANS resorted to character assassination. The authorities abused their positions of power and influence to stir up the people against God’s “rabble-rousers.” They’d hatefully engage in defamation and attack God’s truth with murderous lies. They often put out a hit and signed contracts—to silence the critics of their corrupt system—with their own blood. God blows their cover and exposes their conspiracy with a vengeance! (Matt. 23:27-39).

God blasts our BLOODY LEADERS who’ve overstepped their bounds! (Ex. 19:20-25, Zeph. 1:9, 2 Chron. 26:18). He condemns those OLD GOATS who’ve bucked His system to keep their own! (Ezek. 34:17). THEIR SLAUGHTER IS NEAR!

After vivid warnings and cries for change went ignored, God spoke to our people in the only language we seem to understand: FORCE! Following border attacks and terrorist incursions—and we still didn’t get it—God let the Israelites lose. They wouldn’t serve God and give tribute to His goodness, so they were left to pay tribute to tyrants and serve men.

History Lessons

Whenever Israel made up their minds to follow God, they’d also long for their homeland and beg to be taken back (Jer. 31:21). So a man with a mission would appear “out of nowhere” and rescue our endangered people (who had been brought back to their senses), and restore their God-given liberties. He’d then proceed to rehearse the history of our ancient nation—how God had set us free from Egypt (and every other oppressor) to obey Him, and then warn us to
NEVER FORGET! Because “A nation that has forgotten its past can have no future” and “He must indeed have a blind soul who cannot see that some great purpose and design is being worked out here below” (Winston Churchill).

Our national saviors were to jog our memories and remind us of our responsibilities; because “The United States are under peculiar obligations to become a holy people unto the Lord our God” (Ezra Stiles, then president of Yale, in 1783, in a major address to the Assembly of Connecticut).

We were to know, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that God had called us to be His People, representing His government, to every nation on earth. He had raised our level of consciousness, given us a heavenly outlook, and wanted that reflected in our living standards.

We were to be free of men’s religious ideas and human reasoning (all the other nations were flawed with them), and enjoy our new lease on life. Once liberated from lies and delivered from deception, we were supposed to always remember the reason we were saved from treason: to SERVE GOD. After all, “God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God? Indeed I tremble
for my country when I reflect that God is just, that his justice cannot sleep forever” (Thomas Jefferson).

Whenever Israel began to slip back into their old habits and took their freedom for granted, and forgot that God had given them their life and liberties, and didn’t want to hear about it, but developed the dangerous attitude of “I don’t care” and “I don’t want to know”—IGNORANT AND INDIFFERENT—God said, “Fine, if you’re not happy serving Me, feel free to return to slavery!”

What You Want, Is What You’ll Get!

God gives us what we want, but we usually don’t take Him seriously, UNTIL it’s too late! When the heat’s on and we feel the pressure, but still maintain our “innocence” and wonder what’s going on, God calls our bluff and lays it on the line: “Just as you have forsaken Me and served foreign gods in your land, so you shall serve aliens in a land that is not yours” (Jer. 5:19). If Israel’s so captivated
with TINSEL TRADITIONS, God lets their lies blind them: “But My people would not heed My voice, and Israel would have (nothing to do with Me). So I gave them over to their own stubborn heart, to walk in their own counsels”—to follow their own advice and get a taste of their own medicine (Psalm 81:11-12).

Are we any different? Haven’t we also insisted on doing our own thing? Don’t we take pride in the “I did it my way” approach? Didn’t Adam and Eve curse us with that character defect? Isn’t it highly offensive, in fact, ATROCIOUS, in God’s eyes, for His people to begin to demand rights that He never offered? Rights that would, with time, undermine the GREAT SOCIETY He’s building? Rights to engage in activities that are contrary to His very purpose and hope for mankind: that we should be created in His divine image? Rights that fly in the face of common decency and aren’t sanctioned by the Scriptures? Rights that are out of line and harmony with the holiness we’ve been called to?

Only the serpent presents that which is TABOO as desirable. He’s the god of rebels and leads them to self-destruct. You’ll either serve God or Satan. It’s up to you to choose who your master will be. But if we listen to the serpent, fall for his old line, and assert our “independence” by eating the passion fruit, having had our minds poisoned against God’s reason, then God lets us get addicted to the strong drug of delusion: “Just as they have chosen their own way, and their soul delights in their abominations, so will I choose their delusions, and bring their fears on them because when I called, no one answered, when I spoke they did not hear but they did evil before My eyes, and chose that in which I do not delight” (Isa. 66:3-4). We’re going to be left alone! Just like we thought we wanted! But we’re going to find out how scary isolation can be!

Questionable Standards

Who isn’t an “a la carte” Christian or Jew? What church or synagogue wants God to order that they can only pick and choose from a “kosher menu?” What Christian today feels any shame for celebrating Christmas (shades of Saturnalia), or expresses heartfelt remorse over observing an Easter-sunrise service? (Ezek. 8:16). Who says we can now eat pork? Peter’s vision of the “unclean animals” was about GENTILES whom God had cleansed. Read his interpretation of it—after all, it was given to him to understand (Acts 10:28).

God’s people must accept GOD’S STANDARDS of good and evil, right and wrong, clean and unclean—but we’ve thrown everything in together and can’t seem to get things sorted out, having taken a liberty with God’s word and law that He hasn’t given us.

“Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed nor did they know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall [the slain] at the time I punish them, they shall be cast down, says the LORD” (Jer. 6:15). God’s going to put us back in our place! We’re acting presumptuous when we follow man-made rules and regulations. We’re to follow
GOD—if we want to live!

Abominable Christians

Professing Christianity—steeped in unscriptural ways—enjoys participating in every pagan abomination. They certainly don’t feel any guilt or see anything wrong with it—because they’re reprobate and blind! They don’t even realize their gall before God, who says He can’t stomach their ways! “So then, because you are lukewarm [useless], and neither cold nor hot [serve no definite purpose, as far as God’s concerned], I WILL VOMIT YOU OUT OF MY MOUTH” (Rev. 3:16).

God says He’s sick of our religious sins! He’s disgusted that those who should know better, who say that they’re in shape, are spiritually soft and flabby. They’re going to get a workout real soon to show them their pitiful condition! They can shape-up, or get shipped out—with all the other prisoners of war!

Instead of appreciating those honest enough to blow the whistle (on baptized paganism and a growing apostasy), corrupt Church officials rail against them—upset that not everybody’s so willing to toe-the-party line (1 Kings 22:8). They foolishly flounder to excuse themselves and deny that they’re involved in any wrongdoing. But no matter how hard they try to whitewash their ways, or camouflage their pagan practices with Christian-labels, they’re not fooling
anybody but themselves: “For though you wash yourself with lye, and use much soap, yet your iniquity is marked before Me, says the Lord GOD. How can you say I am not polluted, I have not gone after the Baals?” (Jer. 2:22-23).

Jesus ISN’T Lord!

But we’ve followed false Christs! That’s why Jesus asked: “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46). Whether we realize it or not, too many have given their hearts to “another Jesus,” received “another spirit” and believed “another gospel” (2 Cor. 11:4).

How can professing Christians claim they’re following Jesus when He kept the seventh day Sabbath and they’re chasing after SUNday? Keep pagan holidays, when Jesus only celebrated God’s holy days? Believe you go to Heaven or Hell,
when Christ taught the New Jerusalem will be established on Earth and the
wicked will be destroyed? (Rev. 21:2,8). Eat pork and shrimp and lobster, when Christ would throw up at the thought? Weren’t we warned about those who would pull a fast one about the times and laws (Dan. 7:25)?

Jesus Versus His Message

But Jesus prophesied of this very thing, when He said many ministers would come with a message about Christ—but not about HIS MESSAGE! That’s how they’d mislead the masses and deceive the world. They’d distract attention from Christ’s message, by focusing in on Him.

Jesus was a Messenger, sent from Heaven, to deliver the Father’s GOOD NEWS: GOD’S A KINGDOM that’ll rule all Earth, as well as a ROYAL FAMILY (into which we can be born). Jesus warned about the narrow “gospel” about Himself, but assured us He’d restore the true gospel—the awesome Message He brought special-delivery, with tender loving care—as a SIGN that we’re finally at the end of this age (Matt. 24:5, 14). You’ve been given THAT sign! Will you recognize its significance and wake up to what’s going on? God help you to answer His call and respond to His message.

The Babylonian Whore

We can’t get away with the excuse that “everybody’s doing it.” We’re to get as far away as we can from those traditions that have led us astray. God says to run for your life (Jer. 51:9)! But some are still falling for Rome’s father figure! The CATHOLIC WHORES have sold-out and bought the Babylonian lies—as promoted by that pimp, Simon Magus (Acts 8:9). Not to be outdone, the PROTESTANT
PROSTITUTES strut their stuff, sacrificing purity for paganism, violating God’s laws for their lewd ways. Most Protestants know who the Babylonian whore of Revelation 17:5 is and loudly say so. What they don’t realize is that they’re condemning themselves also, because “LIKE MOTHER, LIKE DAUGHTER!” (Ezek. 16:44).

God’s not tricked by traditions, and isn’t sold on religious ideas! Jesus’ true followers aren’t defiled with deceit (Rev. 14:4-5). They’ve learned to be honest. God doesn’t prostitute the truth to make it more palatable (Deut. 23:17-18). He’s not so “easy.” But traditional Christianity, like an adulterous woman, “…eats
and wipes her mouth, and says, ‘I have done no wickedness’” (Prov. 30:20). TOO MANY CHRISTIANS ARE IN DENIAL! They sit down at Baal’s corner bar and grill and make a pig of themselves—eating unclean things! (Acts 15:29). But God’s not a slob! He doesn’t lower His standards or forget His values (Rev. 3:20). Think about it: Would Christ feel comfortable at your dinner table or worship services?

Jesus’ virgins resist peer pressure. They don’t give in for a SUNday dinner. But “Christianity” has cheapened itself! When God got wind of their ways, He blasted their rank religion and rejected it (Isa. 65:5). Their holier-than-thou attitude STINKS! It gets God burning mad, and irritates Him to no end, that ministers keep screwing their members and twisting the truth! Shamefully, people
prefer PERVERTED PREACHERS! Consenting Christians love their lies! They delight in deception! But God condemns their SPIRITUAL PREFERENCE as inexcusable! Jesus even exposed certain cities of His day as worse than Sodom and Gomorrah, and indicated that they would’ve repented given half a chance. He did state that their “day in court” would be better than those who had seen the Light and yet chose to remain in their traditional darkness (Matt. 11:20-24). Christ didn’t sanction their choice— He denounced their “alternative lifestyle.”

Idolatry and Immorality

God condemns our countries for IDOLATRY—not just for immorality! We’ve got to come to see, know and realize that God doesn’t go for us following traditions all starry-eyed. We’re supposed to be in love with God’s way and follow His
commandments! We’ve got to get our priorities straight and stop putting our ways before God’s ways (Isa. 55:7-9, Ezek. 20:18-21).

If we stubbornly insist on observing pagan holidays, we’re nothing more than idol-worshippers! When we rebelliously reject God’s holy days, we’re worse than witches: “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry” (1 Sam. 15:23). Since we’ve rejected God’s word, He’s rejected us!
Europe’s about to forcibly remove us from office! We’ve jeopardized our position as leader of the free world, and are already staggering, having lost our biblical balance—it’s only a matter of time before we fall!

It’s strange—but true! It’s actually the religious, the Christians and Jews, who are immoral! Because we’ve polluted our land with pluralism, flirted with foreigners and whored around with pagans, God’s going to let them have their way with us. We’re going to be RAPED AND BEATEN! Our enemies are going to strip us bare and show us no mercy! They’re going to treat us like white trash! We haven’t kept ourselves for God, so we’ll be given to others. We’re going to be sent away (as slaves) in SHAME AND CONFUSION! And, believe it or not, it’s our “trusted allies,” our “faithful friends,” who are going to commit this date rape! It’s our INTERNATIONAL LOVERS who’ll betray us (Ezek. 23).

Stubborn Religious Leaders

Jerusalem, symbolic of the Church (Heb. 12:22), is supposed to be the City of truth and godly character based upon God’s liberating law—instead we discover a dreadful description of it as “Sodom” and “Egypt” (Rev. 11:8). Who was PROUD as Sodom, and as STUBBORN as Egypt? God speaks to our proud religious leaders, and addresses our stubborn national laity, in a less-than-flattering
way: “Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom give ear to the law of our God, you people of Gomorrah…” (Isa. 1:10). Our leaders are told to listen, and our people are supposed to pay attention, to God’s word and law! The ministers have been GUILTY of substituting their words for God’s. We’re not used to God’s tough talk and rough language.

Taken to Task

God continues then, in Isaiah 1:11-15, with a series of questions and comments. He wants to know what’s the purpose of our organized religion, and starts tearing down its carelessly structured beliefs. He says we’ve fallen into a rut and that routine’s our ruin. God says He can’t stand our religious observances and hates our spiritual pretense. It’s got to stop! Regardless of our prayers or posture, God isn’t going to take notice or waste His time. Why? Because we’re only going through the motions. We’ve only got the shell, because we’ve thrown out the substance.

True religion is all about interpersonal relationships based upon biblical principles. It’s to guide and assist us in our walk with God and our interactions with each other. That’s why Jesus said, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets”
(Matt. 22:37-40).

Those two commandments show the way and encourage a more meaningful and fulfilling life that’s outgoing and not self-centered. Herbert W. Armstrong used to continually refer to true religion as following the “way of GIVE” versus the “way of GET.” That’s why James wrote: “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself [untainted] from the world” (Jas. 1:27).

Obviously, our ancestors weren’t properly concerned for the good and welfare of others. Charity only extended so far. Mercy was in short supply and their love limited. It’s easier to talk the talk, than walk the walk. Especially when it demands sacrifices or requires sharing. What about you? Have you been happy to share your blessings?

Silence = Death

We must plead on behalf of the innocent, and be the voice of those without adequate representation. The greatest crime against humanity is going on NOW! Yet millions of professing Christians look the other way in shameful silence: ABORTION! It used to be a country’s worst enemies who ripped up their pregnant women—now we’ve turned on ourselves! DON’T ABORT OUR FUTURE!

Defend life: present the case of the preborn before the public, and rescue them from the abortionist’s kangaroo court! We’ve sacrificed our CHILDREN on the altars of convenience, baptized our BABIES in blood, and trashed their grisly remains—if they haven’t been sold for Nazi experiments. Where’s the MORAL
OUTRAGE been? Why haven’t we demanded that our government intervene? STOP THE SLAUGHTER!

God sees the blood bath we’re permitting. He knows the hard hearts, calloused consciences, and dishonest individuals that are involved and will bring them to trial: “Shall I not punish them for these things? says the LORD. And shall I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?” (Jer. 5:9). No wonder God’s going to allow our enemies to be so cruel!

HITLER Will Judge Us!

Hitler’s Nazi Germany will rise up in judgment against our hypocritical nations! We condemned them and now we’re acting worse than they did! We didn’t buy their lame excuses of ignorance or blind obedience, and yet today we try to hide our horrors behind “it’s the law of the land.”

We allow DEATH CLINICS in major cities, and support those mad doctors who ought to be tried for murder. We condemned those German businesses who became rich at others expense, and yet our land is filled with the abortionist’s BLOOD MONEY! It’s not a God-given right to take the life of your child!

That some would argue it’s not a baby, and others attempt to justify this carnage…. It’s obvious we’re under a CURSE if we can’t even think straight! Our Puritan ancestors properly discerned, “Whom God would destroy, He first sends mad” (Deut. 28:28). God save us from ourselves: WE’VE LOST OUR MIND!

We’d better think twice, and change our minds and national direction, before it’s too late. God wants us to clean up our act and LEARN to start caring again. He tries to reason with us (if we’re not too far-gone) and offers ready forgiveness. God admits how low-down and undeserving we’ve become, but expresses confidence in His mercy and Christ’s sacrifice, and says He’s got us covered—if
we’ll only return to God and our senses. If not, God will allow a GERMAN-LED EUROPE to defeat us! The SWORD OF NUCLEAR WAR is on its way! (Isa. 1:16-20).

Spiritual Sodomites

It’s not only the sinners who won’t take God’s advice—too often the “saints” think they’re good enough already. The religious authorities have always resisted change (Acts 7:51). They’ve refused to repent and arrange the crucifixion of those who expose their error. It’s the church councils and synagogue boards that get indignant when told they’re wrong (Matt. 21:32). How dare the spiritual sodomites, and religious sorcerers, question the credentials of God’s spokesmen, wondering what theological seminary they’ve attended, or if they hold any doctorate in divinity (Matt. 21:23, Acts 4:13). What becomes clear is that the “unorthodox” have spent time with God’s Word, and have prayerfully studied the scriptures—not merely the works of misguided men.

Sly foxes try and trip them up by clever questions, attempting to ambush their ability and sabotage their efforts (Matt. 22:15, 35). Spiritual crooks rob the unsuspecting of the facts, and then engage in every perverse act of defamation possible (Matt. 26:59). They can’t refute what some are saying so they twist their words and misrepresent their message (Acts 6:11). Such insecure “leaders” (afraid they’re losing their grip on Church positions, and painfully aware that their ignorance is showing), accuse those outside of their “inner circle” as being false prophets. When God’s true servants set the record straight, they’re reviled for turning things upside down (Acts 17:6). When they disagree with doctrinal error, they’re damned as dissidents (Acts 24:5). Those who stand up for what’s right, exposing what’s wrong, uncovering spiritual graft and corruption, are branded as heretics, murderously maligned, and dismissed as cults!

The apostle Paul spent time defending himself against dogs nipping at his heels, trying to obstruct his missionary work and slow down his progress. He’d prove their charges were groundless and then defeat their purpose by testifying to God’s truth: “But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are
written in the Law and in the Prophets” (Acts 24:14). Despite numerous allegations, he maintained his innocence and declared his allegiance to God’s Word—unlike those who were following men’s ideas with a BLIND OBEDIENCE!

Religious Opposition

As far as religion goes, God knows who’s who, and what’s what, and will promote some to honor and demote others in disgrace: “Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you” (Rev. 3:9). Of course, this refers, in part, to the early Jewish opposition
against Christianity, but it’s mainly exposing counterfeit Christians who profess to be spiritual Jews. God bares them as “Christian Satanists!” God’s Church, throughout history, has been besieged from without and attacked from within. Don’t think it couldn’t happen again.

We shouldn’t be afraid to speak up if our preachers are a pack of wolves, or our leaders are a bunch of liars (Rev. 2:2). God expects us to prove whether or not our ministers are a Godsend, and see if they can pass the test. We’re not to let our guard down, or base anything on dangerous assumptions, but cross-examine everything in light of the biblical evidence (Acts 17:11). God holds us responsible for what goes on behind closed doors, and wants us to make sure our home and
local congregation is in order, as well as being concerned for our extended Church family. After all, it’s our salvation that’s at stake!

When you think about the hardships and difficulties we’ll have to face and endure, as a result of RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION, ask yourself why we should be treated any better than Jesus—the Truth Incarnate—was (John 15:20). Remember: Jesus’ main opposition wasn’t from the gangs, crack-dealers, or hookers. His worst enemies came from the religious community—people who felt self-sufficient. They didn’t want a spiritual Savior, just a national hero. For a “religious experience,” try to help save God’s people from paganism, or speak out against “Christian” lies, and you’ll know how Jesus felt! God’s saviors have often had to be delivered out of dangerous situations and threatening environments (Gen. 5:24).

In Mortal Danger

GOD HAS WARNED THIS NATION through his servant, Herbert W. Armstrong. But our people have shown the typical indifference. The SHOCKING TRUTH hasn’t really fazed them or sunk in! We’re carrying on in our own ways, business as usual, just like in the days of Noah and the time of Lot.

We’re not convinced, we’re not convicted—we’re complacent! We don’t feel in any mortal danger, or sense an urgent need for national reforms. We rest secure in our religion, sleep in our pews, and dream repentance isn’t for us— it’s for the other guy. We’re hard working, decent people—at least in public. What some parade in the streets, others practice in private.

“God wouldn’t condemn us, Europe couldn’t conquer us—you’re just being an alarmist, crying wolf like all the others.” But what if this time it’s for real? What if God IS really warning us: “BEWARE THE BEAST OF EUROPE?”

Maybe our religious practices aren’t so acceptable to God, but does that mean He’d let us lose a war over it? Get taken captive and sent away as slaves? Yes, believe it or not! But this time Jesus Christ will save Israel! He’s our Supreme Judge (Isa. 25:9).

Two controversial figures will boldly declare GOD’S JUDGMENTS and proclaim the LORD’S CONTROVERSY (Micah 3:8 6:1-2), delivering a BLISTERING MESSAGE and a SCORCHING CONDEMNATION—just before NUCLEAR FIRE AND BRIMSTONE RAINS DOWN upon those who’ve rejected GOD’S ULTIMATUM (Isa. 41:27 30:27)! The wise will hear this THUNDER and take shelter (Rev. 10 Prov. 27:12).

It’s been said that history repeats itself because nobody listened the first time. Who’s listening today? Does anybody care? THE MESSAGE IS LOUD AND CLEAR: Another HOLOCAUST is coming! That warning must roar from Jerusalem! That’s the sensitive location where God will spark a NATIONAL DEBATE and ignite an INTERNATIONAL CONTROVERSY (Jer. 15:10, Rev. 11:10). It’ll shock the Jews and anger the Germans! Both will immediately want to stop such “incitement”—calling it fear-mongering and racist—but such persecution will only fan the flames of this BURNING ISSUE (Isa. 54:15-16). God’s going to make sure that everybody—from the least to the greatest—has had a chance to HEAR AND HEED (Jer. 5:4-5).

“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov. 16:18). The historical precedent’s been set. We’re not an exception or invincible (Lk. 13:3). Europe’s already making preparations while we’re on our deathbed: victims of tradition. THE UNITED STATES IS GOING TO FOLD; THE BRITISH COMMONWEALTH’S GOING INTO CAPTIVITY; AND ISRAEL’S GOING TO BE OCCUPIED!