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SHIP OF FOOLS
Available in PDF, Chapter
1;
2; 3
INTRODUCTION
While talking to a good friend of mine about the mess that America and our world is in,
he said that it reminded him of a book or movie called ‘the ship of Fools.’ My mind immediately began to work. I went
to the internet and did a search for “Ship of Fools†and found that the name came from ancient times and many people
have written books, plays and even songs using that title. So, what I am embarking upon is not something new, but something
that I believe should be approached from a decidedly Christian view point.
From Wikopedia: “The ship of fools is an allegory that has long been a fixture in Western literature and art. The allegory depicts
a vessel populated by human inhabitants who are deranged, frivolous, or oblivious passengers aboard a ship without a pilot, and seemingly ignorant of their own direction. This concept makes up the framework of the 15th century book Ship of Fools (1494) by Sebastian Brant, which served as the inspiration for Bosch's famous painting, Ship of Fools: a ship—an entire fleet at first—sets off from Basel to the paradise of fools. In literary and artistic compositions of the 15th and 16th centuries, the cultural motif of the ship of fools also served to parody the 'ark of salvation' as the Catholic Church was styled.â€
The previous illustration and synopsis serve to illustrate the spiritual mindset of our 21st Century world and the lawless, godless generation that is our society today.
Chapter I.
“The God Rejectorâ€
You will find many categories of “fools†on this ship of fools. In the following booklet we will endeavor to identify some of these categories. God tells us in His word that men and women who reject Him and His word, either openly or by their ignorance of Him are fools.
Psalm 14:1-3
To the
chief Musician, A Psalm of
David. The fool hath said in his heart,
There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works,
there is none that doeth good.
The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were
any that did understand, and
seek God. They are all gone aside, they are
all together become filthy:
there is none that doeth good,
no, not one.
Several years ago Mr. John Nyquist wrote a
great article for World Net Daily (wnd.com) which he entitled “The
Intelligent Idiot.†It
endeavored to bring to light some of the oxymoronic activities of our world. In
the short article he included the ridiculous amalgamation of the rock music
industry and so-called ‘Christian’ lyrics. Mr. Nyquist called this
“ingenious stupidityâ€. Here are some
of his comments,
“As noted earlier, an ingenious stupidity -- to
be truly ingenious -- must strike at the fabric of our existence.
Another example of brilliant idiocy is the way
some older people have begun to follow young people. This is an incredible
reversal. A few months ago a leading senator, running for president, gave out
the name of an outrageous rock band as his favorite musical group. As usual he
had no idea what he was saying, but he wanted to be cool, he wanted to be
up-to-date. This is called "finding the parade and getting in front." An
egregious blockhead once described this technique as "the Taoist model of
leadership." Under this model a leader is merely the first to follow. In other
words, there is no leadership.
The same logic appears in the churches, where
popular rock music is gradually supplanting traditional sacred music.
Admittedly, rock 'n' roll is entertainment for millions of people, but is there
anything worshipful about it? In this context the late Alan Bloom wrote that
"rock music has one appeal only, a barbaric appeal, to sexual desire ...
undeveloped and untutored." Bloom added that young people know "that rock has
the beat of sexual intercourse." Let us be honest about this. The music that
emerged from the '60s has an inner logic that corresponds to the sexual
revolution of that time. There is nothing accidental here. To take this same
music and use it in the worship of God is questionable.
Yet many
ministers, who think of themselves as conservatives, see nothing questionable
here. The argument is that the church must appeal to young people in order to
survive. Therefore, the church must offer the kind of music young people favor.
But if the function of the church is to collect worshippers by pandering to
popular taste, why not have standup comics deliver sermons? Why not go all the
way, and make the worship experience as entertaining as possible? The churches
would then be filled up, quite readily -- with nothing to distinguish them from
movie theaters and rock concerts.â€
This is just what I have
been saying for years. If all we want is for our churches to be full why not
bring in topless waitresses and serve cocktails? The bars are full of “egregious
blockheads†who have given themselves over to the fulfillment of the desires
of the flesh. Mr. Nyquist’s brilliant article however, fails to get the real
reason for the “brilliant stupidityâ€
of the “educated herd†as they thunder
toward the cliff of destruction. However, I digress from my analogy of the
“ship of fools.†The real reason that
the “ship of fools†keeps on getting
more and more deranged is that they refuse to follow the directions of the One
Who gave Himself for their sins.
The Bible has the guidelines
that humankind must follow, but mankind continues to follow the mob to folly and
eventual complete collapse of our world including America.
Romans 1:20-22
For the invisible things of him from the
creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are
made, even his eternal power and
Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they
glorified him not as God,
neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish
heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
The following quote
ostensibly came from a highly influential person in Europe. I was unable to
trace or verify the statement, but it sure gets to the point of what is wrong
with our country.
"The danger to America is not Barack Obama but a citizenry capable of entrusting an inexperienced man like him with
the Presidency. It will be far easier to limit and undo the follies of an Obama presidency than to restore the necessary
common sense and good judgment to a depraved electorate willing to have such a man for their president.
The problem is much deeper and far more serious than Mr. Obama, who is a mere symptom of what ails America.
Blaming the prince of the fools should not blind anyone to the vast confederacy of fools that made him their prince.
The Republic can survive a Barack Obama. It is less likely to survive a multitude of fools such as those who made him
their president."
This nation previously elected an ungodly profligate as President who actually had illicit, ungodly sexual relations in the Oval Office.
He was elected not once but twice. We came extremely close to electing a politician, who actually thinks that he invented the internet and
that the warming of the earth is caused by man, to this office. Barak Hussein Obama was elected, not once but twice, by a majority of voters.
How could the voting public in America believe that these men could have or should be leaders of the free world? It can only be that the vast
majority of voters in our country can no longer distinguish between good and evil.
Hebrews 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses
exercised to discern both good and evil.
The reason that America can no longer distinguish between good and evil is because we as a people and as a nation have officially said NO to
God. In 1962 the Supreme Court of the United States officially declared that it was a violation the US Constitution to pray in schools. Within
just a few years, the Bible was rejected by the SCOTUS. Just a short time later the Ten Commandments were declared to be a threat to school
children and were ordered to be removed from the schools of America. When a person or a nation rejects God, He rejects them, and then they
no longer have wisdom. Indeed, God's word is correct when it says, "The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God..." Those who reject
God will experience the judgment of God. The writer of the previously quoted article used the expression, “a vast confederacy of fools.â€
What just exactly does this mean? Mr. Webster defines the word, confederacy as,
“A league, or covenant; a contract between two or more persons, bodies of
men or states, combined in support of each other, in some act or enterprise;
mutual engagement; federal compact.
The friendships of the world are oft confederacies in vice. A confederacy of
princes to check innovation.â€
Note that one aspect of this
definition is that there is a league, or covenant or a contract between two or
more persons. In the case of recent elections there were over 60 million people
all across the United States who as a “vast
confederacy of fools†may have plunged this nation into its death throes. No
matter the results of future elections in our country, it is a matter of
conjecture as whether we will be able to survive the demonic legislation which
has been and will be enacted to drown our beloved country in socialism and
despotism. The legacies of Presidents Carter and Clinton still haunt us today. I
personally do not see that it is the will of the majority of the people of
America to embrace the God of the Bible, Jesus Christ the Lord. Yet, history and
the word of God are clear, the individual and the nation that reject God are
doomed.
Isaiah 60:12
For the nation and kingdom that will not serve
thee shall perish; yea, those
nations shall be utterly wasted.
I pray that I am wrong, but the word
of God is very clear, and it is absolutely reliable and trustworthy.
Note that Mr. Webster included in his
definition this comment, “The friendships
of the world are oft confederacies in
vice. A confederacy of princes to check innovation.â€
Evangelist Sammy Poole wrote these words,
What a tangled web we wove, When from
our land the Lord we drove; As our world around us begins to fall,
Folk asked, "Where God was through it all?"
His answer came with pained chagrin,
'You told me to 'leave' ~ Not 'to come in;'
That you were 'big enough to handle your
care, You had no need for Me I took
you at your word, you see, You were 'big now, and 'didn't need me;' I
stood there watching the 'big boy' fall, Waiting, once more, for you to
call. And in spite of all your pride and sin, I'm ever-present ~ as I have
always been; So, humble yourself beneath my hand; I will hear from
heaven, and heal your land. Remember
this time, with all its woes, And learn the 'truth' a "Big Boy" knows;
I am God, and I hear the pleas, Of child, or nation, on its knee
by
Sammy Poole -
Nov. 17, 2001
Another word
that must be defined is the word “fools.†It is the plural of the word
“fool.†What is a “fool?†God says in
His word, that a “fool†is one who
rejects God. That is precisely the meaning of the Scriptures.
Psalm 14:1, and 53:1 both reiterate
this definition. Why would a person reject God and His existence? All the
evidence that a rational person needs is available. There is no real evidence
for evolution, yet foolish men embrace it as scientific fact.
“Fools rush in where wise men never goâ€
are words from an old love song, but never were words more true concerning
living a life without God and His word. The decisions made by our legislators
backed up by –some of the nine black robed
‘priests of Baal’ called the Supreme Court have done more to destroy our
country than any external threat could ever cost. The vast majority of the
people in our nation today, including the courts, are
‘clever blockheads’ when it comes to
understanding God. Yes, there is a vast confederacy of fools that exists in
America. It is a people without God in their lives who have embarked upon a
voyage of destruction – “A Ship of
Fools.â€
Proverbs 2:6
For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth
cometh knowledge and
understanding.
Proverbs 1:7 – “The fear of the LORD
is the beginning of knowledge:
but fools despise wisdom and
instructionâ€.
2
Timothy 2:7 – “Consider
what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
Chapter II.
“The Truth Rejectorâ€
Why is this happening in our world and our country? I submit unto you that it is
because we have left the fundamental precepts of the word of God in all segments
of our society. The godless precepts of sodomy, lesbianism, body mutilation,
cannibalization, tattoos, heathenism and lies have infiltrated everywhere.
Isaiah complained about this in his life all the way back in the death-throes of
the nation of Israel almost 700 years before Jesus was born into this world.
Isaiah 59:14-15 And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar
off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. Yea, truth
faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the LORD saw
it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment.
In the world in which we live, we read of people becoming victims of accidents,
robberies, plane or auto accidents and wars. In the reports about these events,
the reporter may speak of casualties referring to the injuries and/or deaths
involved. Certainly casualties are a common lot of mankind, and often people
reading the reports are heartbroken over the casualty reports. I can remember
how my heart sank as I heard about the casualties of the firefighters being lost
in the fires which have plagued America over the past years. We often are
subjected to the reports of casualties of the wars that our military is involved
in at various spots of the globe. However, perhaps the most devastating casualty
that mankind has experienced in its history is the casualty of truth.
Here in Isaiah 59:14-16 we read of God’s condemnation of the nation of Israel
because they had left the truth. What a sad commentary from God on the
degradation of the nation of Israel as they had left the truth of God’s word,
and as a result were destined to experience the judgment of the Lord. In America
today we are constantly reminded of the tragedies that have befallen us over the
past few months/years. Columbine, Sandy Hook, etc., etc. were certainly
tragedies of great significance. Yet, I submit to you that in our country, in
our lifetime the greatest tragedy of all is that, like God says to Isaiah …truth
has fallen to the streets. God goes on to say in verse 15 that …truth faileth.
The word ‘faileth’ carries with it the connotation of lacking, or missing. One
might say that truth is missing in action. Yes, it has fallen in the streets; it
is not on the battle field. God tells us in,
Zephaniah 3:5 The just LORD is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity:
every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the
unjust knoweth no shame.
So, what does this mean? He never fails, and He is the ultimate source of truth,
yet Isaiah complains that truth has fallen, faileth. How can this be? I believe
that the answer is to be found throughout this chapter of Isaiah 59.
Isaiah 59:16 And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no
intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his
righteousness, it sustained him.
Why was there no man? Look at the early parts of this chapter. Wickedness
reigns. Evil reigns. Why? Because, truth has fallen. Judgment is gone. Why?
Isaiah 59:7-8 Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent
blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in
their paths. The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their
goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not
know peace.
When truth is fallen, when truth is missing in action, wickedness rules. Where
do we find judgment/justice? From the ultimate source of truth – God and His
word. I am reminded of the vignette in the life of allegedly one of the most
brilliant minds ever to reside in man. The following was copied from an internet
email submission. I do not know who submitted it, and I am not sure that it ever
really happened, but the truth illustrated within is timeless and very
applicable today.
“Let me explain the problem science has with religion.' The professor of
philosophy pauses before his class and then asks one of his new students to
stand.
'You're a Christian, aren't you, son?'
'Yes sir, 'the student says.
'So you believe in God?'
'Absolutely.
Is God good?'
'Sure! God's good.'
'Is God all-powerful? Can God do anything?'
'Yes'
'Are you good or evil?'
'The Bible says I'm evil.'
The professor grins knowingly. 'Aha! The Bible! He considers for a moment.
'Here's one for you.. Let's say there's a sick person over here and you can cure
him. You can do it. Would you help him? Would you try?'
'Yes sir, I would.'
'So you're good...!'
'I wouldn't say that.'
'But why not say that? You'd help a sick and maimed person if you could. Most of
us would if we could. But God doesn't.'
The student does not answer, so the professor continues. 'He doesn't, does he?
My brother was a Christian who died of cancer, even though he prayed to Jesus to
heal him.. How is this Jesus good? Can you answer that one?'
The student remains silent.. 'No, you can't, can you?' the professor says. He
takes a sip of water from a glass on his desk to give the student time to relax.
'Let's start again, young fella. Is God good?'
'Er..yes,' the student says.
'Is Satan good?'
The student doesn't hesitate on this one. 'No.'
'Then where does Satan come from?'
The student falters. 'From God'
'That's right. God made Satan, didn't he? Tell me, son. Is there evil in this
world?'
'Yes, sir...'
'Evil's everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything, correct?'
'Yes'
'So who created evil?' The professor continued, 'If God created everything, then
God created evil, since evil exists, and according to the principle that our
works define who we are, then God is evil.'
Again, the student has no answer. 'Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred?
Ugliness? All these terrible things, do they exist in this world?'
The student squirms on his feet. 'Yes.'
'So who created them?'
The student does not answer again, so the professor repeats his question. 'Who
created them?' There is still no answer. Suddenly the lecturer breaks away to
pace in front of the classroom. The class is mesmerized. 'Tell me,' he continues
onto another student. 'Do you believe in Jesus Christ, son?'
The student's voice betrays him and cracks. 'Yes, professor, I do.'
The old man stops pacing. 'Science says you have five senses you use to identify
and observe the world around you. Have you ever seen Jesus?'
'No sir. I've never seen Him.'
'Then tell us if you've ever heard your Jesus?'
'No, sir, I have not..'
'Have you ever felt your Jesus, tasted your Jesus or smelt your Jesus? Have you
ever had any sensory perception of Jesus Christ, or God for that matter?'
'No, sir, I'm afraid I haven't.'
'Yet you still believe in him?'
'Yes'
'According to the rules of empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science
says your God doesn't exist... What do you say to that, son?'
'Nothing,' the student replies.. 'I only have my faith.'
'Yes, faith,' the professor repeats. 'And that is the problem science has with
God. There is no evidence, only faith.'
The student stands quietly for a moment, before asking a question of His own.
'Professor, is there such thing as heat?'
'Yes.’
'And is there such a thing as cold?'
'Yes, son, there's cold too.'
'No sir, there isn't.'
The professor turns to face the student, obviously interested. The room suddenly
becomes very quiet. The student begins to explain. 'You can have lots of heat,
even more heat, super-heat, mega-heat, unlimited heat, white heat, a little heat
or no heat, but we don't have anything called 'cold'. We can hit down to 458
degrees below zero, which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that.
There is no such thing as cold; otherwise we would be able to go colder than the
lowest -458 degrees. Every body or object is susceptible to study when it has or
transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit
energy. Absolute zero (-458 F) is the total absence of heat. You see, sir, cold
is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold.
Heat we can measure in thermal units because heat is energy. Cold is not the
opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.'
Silence across the room. A pen drops somewhere in the classroom, sounding like a
hammer.
'What about darkness, professor. Is there such a thing as darkness?'
'Yes,' the professor replies without hesitation.. 'What is night if it isn't
darkness?'
'You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is not something; it is the absence of
something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light,
but if you have no light constantly you have nothing and it's called darkness,
isn't it? That's the meaning we use to define the word. In reality, darkness
isn't. If it were, you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?'
The professor begins to smile at the student in front of him. This will be a
good semester. 'So what point are you making, young man?'
'Yes, professor. My point is, your philosophical premise is flawed to start
with, and so your conclusion must also be flawed.'
The professor's face cannot hide his surprise this time. 'Flawed? Can you
explain how?'
'You are working on the premise of duality,' the student explains... 'You argue
that there is life and then there's death; a good God and a bad God. You are
viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir,
science can't even explain a thought.' 'It uses electricity and magnetism, but
has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the
opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a
substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life, just the absence of it.'
'Now tell me, professor.. Do you teach your students that they evolved from a
monkey?'
'If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, young man, yes, of
course I do.'
'Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?'
The professor begins to shake his head, still smiling, as he realizes where the
argument is going. A very good semester, indeed.
'Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even
prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you not teaching your
opinion, sir? Are you now not a scientist, but a preacher?'
The class is in uproar. The student remains silent until the commotion has
subsided. 'To continue the point you were making earlier to the other student,
let me give you an example of what I mean.' The student looks around the room.
'Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the professor's brain?' The
class breaks out into laughter. 'Is there anyone here who has ever heard the
professor's brain, felt the professor's brain, touched or smelt the professor's
brain? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of
empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain,
with all due respect, sir.' 'So, if science says you have no brain, how can we
trust your lectures, sir?'
Now the room is silent. The professor just stares at the student, his face
unreadable. Finally, after what seems an eternity, the old man answers. 'I Guess
you'll have to take them on faith.'
'Now, you accept that there is faith, and, in fact, faith exists with life,' the
student continues. 'Now, sir, is there such a thing as evil?' Now uncertain, the
professor responds, 'Of course, there is. We see it every day. It is in the
daily example of man's inhumanity to man. It is in the multitude of crime and
violence everywhere in the world. These manifestations are nothing else but
evil.'
To this the student replied, 'Evil does not exist sir, or at least it does not
exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. (Emphasis mine) It (evil)
is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the
absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is the result of what happens when
man does not have God's love present in his heart. It's like the cold that comes
when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when there is no light.'
The professor sat down.
(End of article)
This little story illustrates quite clearly that the problem we have is the
absence of truth in our world since God and His word have been effectively
eliminated from our everyday lives.
We are reminded of Pilate’s question to Jesus in,
John 18:38 -
Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out
again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.
The very embodiment of truth, the Word of God, was standing right in front of
him. Pilate, like the majority of people in our world today, turns and walks
away. He never waited for an answer. He turned to the people and left THE TRUTH
standing alone.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man
cometh unto the Father, but by me.
So I confront you today with this question – Do you know THE TRUTH? Do you know
Him? Or will you turn to the beggarly elements of this world for answers?
Look at Pueblo’s local Saturday newspaper. The Pueblo Chieftain. There is a
religious section, but most of the time you will find no semblance of truth in
the religious articles written there.
So my question to you all is this – Have you embraced the truth, The Truth of
eternal life? “…no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.†Has there been a time
when you trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour?
John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God,
and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. God is very exclusive in his path to
eternal life. It is only His way and no other. There is only one way to Heaven,
and that is through the Lord Jesus Christ. There is only One God and Saviour.
Titus 2:13-14 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the
great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might
redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous
of good works. Notice the words found in the middle of this verse, “…the great
God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;…†the use of the definite article defines God
and His Son without giving a person any other alternative. Jesus Christ is “THE
GREAT GOD AND OUR SAVIOUR.†This leaves no room for the Mormon Jesus or the
Islamic Allah, or any of the other false gods found in the religions of this
“…present evil world.â€
Have you embraced the truths of God’s word? John 17:17 Sanctify
them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
Do you understand that anything that does not conform to the word of God is a
lie?
Atheism, Agnosticism, Islam, Evolutionism and the other religious beliefs that
are out there are lies. The philosophies of this world that do not conform to
God’s word, the Holy Bible, are lies. When a woman says that God wants her to be
the pastor of such and such church, truth has fallen.
When a church says that you must join it and follow its teachings in order to
enter into a right relationship with God, truth has fallen.
We probably understand those principles, but how about more subtle teachings of
the father of lies?
1. "I was born as a man physically, but I should have been a woman.
After all, since God is in control of conception, he certainly must have made a
mistake." Or, vice versa. Where is the truth?
2. "It is OK for a man to marry a man or a woman to marry a woman. After
all, we must be tolerant of their views." We are admonished to be tolerant of
perversions, but not of the truth of God’s word. Don’t bring that Book in here,
this is a school and we must have separation of church and state! Doesn’t it say
that in the US Constitution? Well, the truth is that it doesn’t even come close
to saying that. That is a perversion of a statement made by Thomas Jefferson
writing to Baptists in Danbury, CT.
3. How about this lie? "It is OK to remove that little blob of tissue from my
womb. Just pull it out part of the way and stick a pair of scissors in the back
of its skull and then suck out its brains." Oh yeah, that’s certainly humane,
isn’t it? Don’t pay any attention to its screams and struggles. Kill it. Protect
those little snail darters though. They might become extinct. Truth is missing
in action.
We could go on and on with the insanity of the devil and his lies. He is a
counterfeiter and a destroyer. His program is to destroy you and anyone else who
is not a child of God. If you have never investigated the word of God honestly
and thoroughly you are missing the greatest truths and the greatest Book ever
written. Yes, in some streets, there is no truth, it has fallen, but you can
find the truth in God’s word, the Holy Bible, the KJV. Without the truth of the
Bible, God is displeased. “…the LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there
was no judgment.â€
Yes, Truth had fallen and God was displeased. In view of this thought we should
be consumed with this question -How can we please God?
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that
cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that
diligently seek him.
It takes faith to please Him, and we get faith from His word.
Romans 10:17 So
then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Jesus posed this question in Luke 18:8 I tell you that he will avenge them
speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the
earth? It is a rhetorical question which could very easily be answered, “No.â€
You expect the lost world of people to reject God’s word, but the most
discouraging aspect of our world today is the rejection of the word of God by
God’s people
Chapter III.
“The Bible Rejecter”
Found within the pages of God’s Book, the
Bible, are many references to men and women rejecting the revealed word of God.
Zech. 7:7-14
“Should ye not hear the words which the LORD
hath cried by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in
prosperity, and the cities thereof round about her, when men inhabited the south
and the plain?
And the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of
hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man
to his brother: And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor
the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.
But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their
ears, that they should not hear. Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant
stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath
sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the
LORD of hosts. Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would
not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts: But I
scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they knew not. Thus
the land was desolate after them, that no man passed through nor returned: for
they laid the pleasant land desolate.”
This is just one of the many examples of where
God’s people, Israel, refused to listen and obey God’s word. Because of their
disobedience, God brought his wrath upon them and their land. It is very
important to understand that God’s judgments often included the land of Israel.
See verse 14 above.
1 Samuel 15:22-23
“And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight
in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold,
to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For
rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and
idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected
thee from being king.”
In this portion of scripture we see that
principle clearly stated. Rejection of God’s word will always bring the judgment
of God. However, let me remind you of another fact found within these verses.
God directed His comments about His coming judgment to His people: the nation of
Israel, the people of God. What we must accept is that God deals very harshly
with His people when His people reject God’s word. One portion of scripture that
is very explicit concerning how God feels about His people needing to keep their
hearts and minds close to God is:
2 Chron. 7:14
If my people, which are called by my name, shall
humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways;
then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their
land.
Today, the people of God are those people who have been born again.
Yes, the people of God, those that are part of the family of God, are those who
have trusted in Jesus Christ as Saviour. They have been born again and are part
of God’s family. They have gone from just being a part of the family of man to
also becoming a part of the family of God. Have you been born again? Are you in
the family of God?
John 1:12-13
“But as many as received him, to them gave he
power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which
were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man,
but of God.”
John 3:3
“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily,
verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom
of God.’ John 3:7
“Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be
born again.”
We must be born again to “see the kingdom of God.” We must receive Him, Jesus
Christ the LORD, to become “sons of God:” to become part of the spiritual family
of God.
The Barna Group does extensive research on what
people believe. One of their surveys done a few years ago revealed that only 9%
of those who called themselves “born-again Christians” had a “Biblical World
View.” Mr. Barna and his people defined a “Biblical World View” as: “The
definition (of a Biblical Worldview) requires someone to believe that absolute
moral truth exists; that the source of moral truth is the Bible; that the Bible
is accurate in all of the principles it teaches; that eternal spiritual
salvation cannot be earned; that Jesus lived a sinless life on earth; that every
person has a responsibility to share their religious beliefs with others; that
Satan is a living force, not just a symbol of evil; and that God is the
all-knowing, all-powerful maker of the universe who still rules that creation
today.” The above stated truths are
what we could call, “no-brainers” for those of us in fundamental circles who
believe the word of God. Yet, Mr. Barna discovered that only 9% of the “people
of God” believed these simple, fundamental truths. Why? I believe it is because
these “people of God” have rejected God’s word.
How have they rejected God’s word? By accepting
the premise that the Authorized Version of the scriptures is flawed and needs to
be updated and corrected. In many articles and many messages, I and dozens of
men much more qualified that I am, have shown conclusively that the KJV is the
perfect, infallible, authoritative, word of God in the English language and does
not need correction. In fact, correcting the perfect word of God in our English
language is an egotistical exercise in unbelief. Yet, it goes on daily in
“Christian” circles. From preachers in the pulpit, laymen in the pews and
general overall Christianity we are inundated with corrections and innuendos
that the AV1611 is just not right in this verse or that verse. This word or that
word is changed or removed under the auspices of finding a more “correct
reading.” You virtually cannot pick up a modern book about the Bible without
being confronted with the perceived need to update and correct the KJV.
“Christian” book stores are running over with perversions of the Bible. Churches
that used to be fundamental and solid in their stand for the word of God have
moved away from the KJV. Organizations that used to fearlessly proclaim the
scriptures have adopted a watered-down version of the Bible, and Bible Colleges
and universities use everything but God’s word in their classrooms. The KJB is
condemned as containing an unfortunate translation here or a mistaken
translation there. Here is an excerpt from a letter by a good, fundamental man,
Dave Hunt, which illustrates my point:
“The KJV is God's Word. Though there may be a
minor error here or there, comparing other verses dealing with the same subject
will make it quite clear.” If the KJV
is the word of God for the English-speaking people of God, and I know that it
is, then correcting it or casting doubt on its authority is nothing more than a
rejection of God’s word by God’s people and will bring the wrath of God upon the
people and the land. The devil’s subtle attack on the word of God has caused the
people of God to reject the word of God under the guise of having a “better
translation” of the scriptures. This is lethal to the health of America and
indeed the spiritual health of the entire world. Christianity is no longer
having an uplifting and positive impact on society because God’s real word has
been rejected. We see the effects all around us. The USA and the world can
no longer discern between good and evil. It takes wisdom from the word of God to
be able to discern what is right or wrong.
Hebrews 5:12-14
“For when for the time ye ought to be teachers,
ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the
oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong
meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness:
for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even
those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and
evil.”
God’s people have been fed pablum instead of the
meat of God’s word and are unable to be the salt and light of this world. Even
lost people have seen the insanity going on in our country and wondered what the
reason could be. The reason is that we no longer have God’s word except in small
pockets of Christianity that still believe the AV 1611. Earthquakes, floods,
storms and other natural disasters abound as God reminds us that He is not
happy. Wars and conflicts rage which consume our greatest natural resource, our
young men and women, with ever increasing numbers. The very things that God has
warned us would happen if we reject His word are happening everywhere, and yet,
few realize the reason. We must get back to the Bible or continue to suffer the
guaranteed consequence of rejection of God word.
2 Kings 22:13
“Go ye, enquire of the LORD for me, and for the
people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for
great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers
have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that
which is written concerning us.
Jeremiah 6:19
Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon
this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened
unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it.”
Repeatedly in the word of
God, we see this principle stated or revealed - rejection of God’s law, His
commandments, His precepts, brings His wrath upon His people.
Hebrews 11:6
“But without faith it is impossible to please
him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a
rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
Romans 10:17
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by
the word of God.”
As we see from these verses, it is impossible to
please God without faith and faith comes from God’s word. Therefore, if we do
not have the infallible, preserved word of God, if all we have are corrupt,
perverted versions, then it is impossible to be pleasing to God. However, God
has kept His word, He has preserved His word - in the Authorized Version.
Psalm 12:6-7
“The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver
tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD,
thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.”
Please consider the solemn words of this booklet
and repent of the rejection of God’s word if you have been duped into using a
perversion of the scriptures. The revision committee of the 1880’s supplanted
the Greek scriptures with the powerless words of men and the changes made to all
English versions since then are based upon these scurrilous Greek texts. That is
why the church has had virtually no effect upon the world around us. It is only
the word of God that changes the heart of man, and essentially, we have books
called Bibles that only contain some of the words of God, but are not THE word
of God.
Consider
the following words penned to the church at Laodecia in:
Rev. 3:17-19
“Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased
with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched,
and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold
tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest
be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine
eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and
chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.”
Listen to the Lord Jesus as He admonishes the
Laodecian Church. Be zealous for God’s word and repent of using the powerless
versions of the Bible in your lives
Dr. Robert Bliss
Old Paths Baptist Ministries
1482 N. Ramah Dr. Pueblo West,
CO 81007
719-248-9036
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