Christianity Oasis Forum

[saint701]

Hello All,


Blessings!

Revelation 17:5

The other night I listened to Bill O'Reilly slam Pat Robertson for saying Haiti made a pact with the devil to rid themselves of being governed by the French. Whether the pact story is true or not is irrelevant. What is relevant is the absence of understanding by our general public that God judges nations that immerse themselves in witchcraft.

Fact (1) A major portion of the Old Testament is dedicated to the consequences nations suffer because of their involvement in the occult.

Fact (2) Israel was the instrument the Lord used to punish the occupants of the land He was going to give them because of their occult practices.

Fact (3) Israel was judged by the Lord several times for their occult practices and ultimately driven from their homeland and scattered all over the earth.

Fact (4) The severity with which the Lord judged Israel for their occult practices is in microcosm the judgment awaiting all mankind in macrocosm during the tribulation.

I asked my older brother after the O'Reilly factor the other evening how he would describe Haiti. He said that it is a mix of Catholicism and Voodoo. Such is the case in some spots here in the U.S. as well. Most of you know I recently returned from a teaching stint on the Navajo Indian Reservation in Arizona at a Catholic school.

In that school we had frequent mass often mixed with such things as the Navajo Catholics seeking blessings from, of all things, the 4 winds. Of course such prayers were given by either a medicine man or woman. I don't mind telling you I took exception to these practices, but said nothing openly. What I did do was go out behind the high school and plead the blood of Jesus on their and my behalf.

Revelation 17:5 has many interpretations. One such interpretation suggests the great whore is the Catholic Church. Another such interpretation suggests it is the religious system instituted by the anti-christ when he comes. Another interpretation is that it is the sum total of all false religions that have evolved out of the original model which began in the city of Babylon thousands of years ago.

Perhaps all interpretations of Mother Babylon have some basis in truth. But the fact of the matter is that God does judge nations that wittingly or unwittingly worship other Gods, and we are told to come out of her my people.

That recent signs of sorrows have shown themselves in America, Thailand, China, and Haiti to name a few, should be seen for what they are, the judgments of the Lord, Bill O'Reilly, the judgments of the Lord.

Additionally...touch not the Lord's anointed, Pat Robertson. What irks me about it all is that it was through the ministry of the 700 Club that I became a born again spirit filled Christian, and brothers and sisters if ever there was an example of a Kingdom of Heaven seed growing up on this old planet, the CBN organization is it.

Luke 13:19 (King James Version)

19 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took , and cast into his garden; and it grew , and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.


Blessings!
L,ICJ,Saint701

[lizzie]

hello brother saint

I love how u arent afraid to bring up those issues that most other people run scared from for fear of opening a can of ticked off worms

I too have read and heard of the backlash against statements made by Pat Robertson with regards to the Haitian earthquake.

I think its a very human reaction to become upset to any sort of seemingly insensitive statement made when there is so much human suffering happening. But I gotta wonder how many of those offended are Christians.

Cuz Christians believe in judgement for sins. Right? One would hope so. A Christian believes in the almighty power and might and control of our Lord. Right? One would hope so. A Christian believes that God is not only a God of Love, but BECAUSE He is a God of Love then He MUST be a God of justice also. Right? One would hope so.

To me this was just another opportunity for Christian-bashers to jump on the wagon and attack Christianity, because lets face it, people who dont believe or care about God or His existence, have no concept of judgement for sins, nor do they wish to have their minds turned towards it.

I live in the Caribbean. I grew up hearing about haiti and all the instances of black magic etc happening there. Its not a lie.

So in that regard what the man said was truth. God hates Idolatry.

People are saying that he is hurting Christans by making such statements. I say Christians need to start standing up for the truth regardless of how it makes them look, cuz there will come a day when God will ask whether we stood up for Him or whether we denied Him.

What is relevant is the absence of understanding by our general public that God judges nations that immerse themselves in witchcraft.

AMEN

Now whether or not this earthquake such an act of judgement, is beyond our knowledge at this time. God alones knows who and what caused it. But we do know He allowed it. God doesnt allow evil unless it brings about a greater good or at least the opportunity for such.

And what opportunity there is now. For the world's eyes have turned to a country that before this tragedy lived in the pits of darkness and despair. There is opportunity now for repentance, for evangelism such as never was before. There is hope in the hopelessness and THAT we know for sure is by the grace of God. Look at how many people are giving of their worldly riches to help these people out. And look how many people are using this situation for personal gain and self-edification. God uses these tragedies to expose the hearts of men.

Haiti isnt the only place where such practices of occultism occur. It happens in my country, and in the US and im sure many many other places. And one day, if not here on earth, God will judge these and all sins if they are not repented of.

I dunno nothin bout Pat Robertson or the people bashing his statements, and ive learned to trust the Word above the words of man who is imperfect and flawed... so I focus on knowing whats in my Bible instead.

2 Chronicles 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.

[Mackenaw]

Hello Saint and Lizzie and Everyone,

God bless you this day.

I actually shy away from these type discussions because they can so easily turn into debates and can cause division, and if I'm being honest here -- it tends to give me stomach cramps to zero in on a particular person, people, group or religion.

While I understand what you are talking about Saint701, and yes, I am aware of the backlash that Pat Robertson is getting -- I don't feel the need to concentrate my efforts and time in defending him as he is a grown man and from all indications, his salvation is secure in The Lord. God's will be done.

Matthew 24:6-8
(6) And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these thing must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
(7) For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
(8) All these are the beginning of sorrows.

I went to Haiti back in 1980. No, I didn't go there to share The Gospel of Christ or for anything honorable or glorifying to God, I went there as a spoiled American on a cruise -- and quite frankly, was annoyed that the Cruiseline subjected my eyes and ears to such poverty and despair when I had paid good money to be entertained. Tsk Tsk Tsk.

I like the scripture you referenced when you said:

But the fact of the matter is that God does judge nations that wittingly or unwittingly worship other Gods, and we are told to come out of her my people.

II Corinthians 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

Yes, The Lord will judge nations, lands and people. I find peace in His Word. Specific to this topic, I take peace in the accounts of both Noah and Lot, recorded in the book of Genesis: Noah and his family and all the animals on the Ark, and Lot and his family when The Lord made a way of escape for them from the destruction of Sodom. He knows the heart of man, He knows the number of hairs upon each of our heads. His Word tells us that He will not lose any of us that have accepted Christ as Saviour, if we will overcome until the end of time -- either of this body life or until we be raptured -- and that we'll be with Him for eternity.

I live in an area that is so obviously oppressed. And from all indications, it has a long history of oppression. The first 10 years I lived here, I wanted nothing more than to get out of here -- to kick the dust off and to beat feet. It was not in God's plans for us. I've watched as transplants -- others who wound up here -- have packed up and headed for higher ground, leaving behind the homegrown to fend for themselves. A "see ya -- wouldn't wanna be ya" type thing.

I Thank God for the Christian missionaries that God assigned to Haiti. I Thank God for the guardian angels of those little ones in Haiti, and of the ones who have been trapped in a lifetime of oppression there, with no means of escape.

God's Word warns us against idol worship and worshiping other gods and pagan practices, etc. And just as both you and Lizzie have pointed out, it's everywhere. Some areas are well known (have a reputation) for their pagan practices and "strange" religions, but isn't it interesting that little is said about the worship of money. Hollywood and celebrities and politicians all come out in droves to add their sweet little soundbite to the cause while the lights and cameras are rolling, and then return to their lavish lifestyles. The middle class is all warm and cozy with their extravagances: Starbucks down the street, the phone numbers of their favorite manicurist and eyebrow waxer, gym, restaurant(s), housekeeper, landscaper and babysitter all stored on speed dial, for easy access. The poor often choose to live in despair (in a bound mind) because they want what the middle class has... excess. Despair can bring you to your knees. Disdain will bring you to the pit.

Spoiled, spoiled, spoiled Americans. We are all so dreadfully spoiled.

II Corinthians 6:12 Ye are not straitened (held back, crushed, restricted) in (by) us, but ye are straitened (held back, crushed, restricted) in your own bowels (emotions).

Mystery Babylon indeed. But her merchants also share space in the pit. Her merchants are all around us -- nations, lands, people. The USA may have been founded and established on Christian principles, but her people's hearts have waxed cold and they serve the god of mammon.

There's gonna be a whole lot of shakin' going on.

God bless us all.
Love,
Mack

[xxJILLxx]

I agree completely with all bieng said here.

I would like to emphasize also how he takes tragedy and opens it up to a healing pool.

"Passing through the valley of weeping they make it a place of springing wells, the rain also covers it with pools" (Psa. 84:6). There has been much weeping these days, but every "valley of weeping" can be turned into a "springing well" of healing and the "covering pools".



Gb
♥Jill