And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him:
but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.
SUBJECT – THE GLOVES ARE COMING OFF!! [PT 1]
The subject starting off this new year, is a reflection of my feelings concerning the state of this nation, and especially that of the black community.
For quite awhile, I have been touching on the issue of the failure of this nation to make a decisive push to admit that it is a failure, and that what we need to do is get our act together and get back to the God of the bible.
But, we have a problem because of our diverse culture with people from all walks of life, and of different beliefs we, in order to show ourselves friendly to them, have essentially, turned away from Him and as one scripture says, 'gone whoring after other gods.'
Whether you want to look at it as a 'religious' move or a philosophical appeasement, the bottom line is this,
we are engaging in practices that are guaranteeing our destruction.
Heretofore, I really haven't gone in to too much detail, of just how, we are doing it, because, most of you aren't really able to handle it. As the apostle Paul wrote,
1Cor 3:2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
Why do I say this?? Because of your response to any thing that appears to make you seem to be foolish. That's right, this nation is on the course it is on because of the decisions of a population that is foolish in both areas of our lives the Spiritual and the practical.
If you will look at the subject scripture, you will see the prophet Elijah putting a question to the people about what was their tendency to go with what seemed right at the time, or better yet what was expedient. They felt that anything that promised only good results for the immediate situation was the way to go. What they didn't like was someone coming along saying anything about the possibility of their decisions being the indication of just how stupid, and ignorant they really were. What usually happened is this. These people would pursue ungodly ways, until God lowered the boom on them. Then, they would run back to Him by way of following what the prophets of God told them they needed to do in order for their suffering to stop. Of course, as soon as that suffering was abated and things began to look up again, they went back to their wicked ways.
Now why would people that had experienced God's wrath for their disobedience to Him, turn back to their wickedness as the bible says,
Prv 26:11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly. These people for all intents and purposes were, fools plain and simple.
Today in this nation and the black community especially, it is no different. We want to embrace everything that appears to bring us the 'good life!' We have become a ship of fools! We will jump at anything that seems to give us that elusive prize of a Utopian paradise, where there are only good things with no suffering or pain, where we can all live together in harmony.
Well, what was the major reason for the people back then, to continue to stray away from what God had to say?? And what is it that is causing us to do the same thing today??? One word,
PREACHERS!!
Now when I say preachers I am not only talking about those that promote the Gospel, but those that promote any type of belief or philosophy.
When we look at the basic function of a preacher, he/she is trying to sell you something. It doesn't have to be something that you buy with money, but rather getting you to accept something. Anyone irregardless of how they appear, if they are trying to get you to accept what they are saying, they are preachers.
Everything that is wrong in this nation believe it or not can be laid at the foot of preachers [PERIOD]. Not all of them, but, the vast majority of them.
Preachers fall in to 2 categories. Those that are delivering the uncompromisable, unalterable, unchangeable Word of Almighty God through Jesus Christ, and, all the rest.
What we need to see in the subject verse, is this. Despite all of the different people with their different personalities, psychological make-up, their hopes and dreams, their gender, their IQ, their degrees, and all of the other characteristics that make them who they are, they all fall in to one of 2 categories. That's it. They either put their entire belief in God, through Jesus Christ, or they don't. There is no in-between [PERIOD!!] Of course back then, Christ wasn't the main issue like He is today.
Anyway, Elijah being fed up with a people, that continually vacillated back and forth, based on the directions from those, who back then were known as the prophets of Baal, which can be interpreted as preachers of all that is not of, or against God.
In short, what was true back then, is true today. You either believe in God, or you don't. And the ones that try to get you to believe that somehow or other God accepts us, with all of our flaws, to the point that we have no need of repenting, are these same prophets of Baal!! Only now, they are the 21st century version. Different clothes, different tools more sophisticated, but the same old vomit.
What drives these emissaries of the devil, to do what they do?? Money, and power!! For a price, they will tell you anything you want to hear. For a price, they will make you feel good. What does this scenario remind you of?? Harlots and prostitutes. While we all would like nothing better than to feel good about ourselves, we need to put things in to perspective. Is this pleasure I am feeling now, going to bring me suffering, later?? Try this!
Prv 14:12,16:25 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Just because it feels right and makes sense does not mean it is the right thing to do. While none of us would knowingly choose anything that would cause us to suffer, sometimes, the choice that we make to avoid it, will have far more dire consequences, down the road. And as usual, even though being warned, we choose the latter.
As the story goes Elijah was in what we would call a intellectual debate to determine just who was, and was not representing the most powerful force. There were on the other side 400 or so preachers that pronounced that they spoke for a god, that was more powerful than the God, that Elijah was servant of. They said he was out of touch with reality and should be run out of town, and back to the wilderness, where he came from. By his appearance, he looked like a bum. Sort of like what John the Baptist looked like when he came out of the wilderness.
It's funny. We usually judge people, based on how they look, dress, speak, or their intellect. Yet, if a man of God, exhibits these same characteristics, but, is preaching the uncompromisable word of God then we say, he or she is somehow, not preaching God's word but rather, is a jack legged preacher ripping off those that follow them. If on the other hand, they appear to be like a John the Baptist, no fancy clothes, jewelry, or fancy car, then, they are to be disregarded. Anyway, in the course of the debate, that was being watched by the people, Elijah, threw down the gauntlet, and challenged these 400 prophets to a test, to prove who was speaking for God, and who wasn't.
One thing that should be noted here, is the fact that mere talk, is not going to cut it, when dealing with an opposition that is well organized, and trained in public speaking, or that looks like they have a lot of fine clothing, jewelry and the like. Something extra was needed. And that was a demonstration, that would prove what was what.
Today in this nation as I mentioned, there is a debate going on, about whose religion is best, and whose is being mean spirited. Does God have a preference?? It is not so much as,
'whose side is God on', as much as it is,
'Who is on God's side??'
In talking with a lot of people, they seem to feel like I am saying that God is for one party or group and against the others. What they, and others are not looking at, is the evidence that shows, what is what.
Have you ever heard the term,
'some people, wouldn't know the Truth, if it hit them on the head with a 2x4?' That is essentially what Elijah was facing back then, and what we, in this nation are facing, today. A bunch of ignorant leaders, that don't know beans about what they are doing. Or, they know what they are doing, and hope you never find out.
As long as the debate was about talk, there was nothing dramatically different between what these prophets of Baal said, and what Elijah said. But Elijah knew what had to be done, and that is, put these preachers on the spot, to make them prove, what they were saying.
That's what needs to happen today. Most preachers, especially in the black community, that are held in such high esteem, need to be revealed for what they really are, and that is modern day prophets of Baal. But, it will have to be done through demonstrating, just who is God's messenger, versus who isn't.
In the upcoming part[s] I will be, as the title says, taking the gloves off, by giving you proof of the tricks these men, and women use, to keep the rest of us, in a state of total ignorance, where we will literally continue to suffer, die, and possibly end up in hell.
You see, that is just what they want. They want you suffering. They want you to need them. They want you to keep coming to them for advice, so they can have power over you, and your lives.
It doesn't make any difference to them, what happens to you. It is about them, and their power. That power, also brings with it wealth, and prestige.
In the mean time, they, themselves are headed for destruction. As Jesus once said,
Mat 15:14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
So, if you are ready, check in
next month, for part 2.
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