Comments in response to an Email received
(Sermon Material)

Hi Brother!

It has been fascinating to me to study (a small part) your site.

It does present a rather different view than is boringly posed by most on the subject of prophecy today.

I browsed through the first time I visited your Web Site . . . then I returned for further review. One thing that wasn't immediately apparent (at first glance) was your views toward government (America/Babylon), and government in particular. It occurred to me that sometimes we can get a better overview concerning one or another theories by what others have to say about an idea -- other than from the individual posing the theory.

It may be helpful if I explained . . . I once became rather fascinated with another 'new idea/view' on the net. I read a great deal of what was really a GREAT DEAL of data and most of it seemed 'right down the pike' in my own understanding of some things posted there. It then became odd in that that person, once one got deep down into his thesis that The United States of America was (in his theory) "That Great Satan.", and in the depths of his reasoning was at the heart of the Koran and Muslim teaching.

After a bit of research I found that indeed he was a very well educated Iraqi and had a very well hidden hatred of America. It wasn't apparent in his teaching until you worked your way down deep into his manifesto.

We are taught by Scripture to do a number of things when there are questions:

1) Try the spirits to see if they are of God

2) and, to be obedient to those that govern over us.

We are also told that the country/people that protect/bless Israel would be likewise blessed.

Jesus knew the need to obey/submit to government. Government next to Christianity is the only fence or wall we have that will stand against anarchy. If we have no restrainer -- especially in days like we now live, we would have simply that, un-restrained evil.

Now there is much about America that is evil. There is also much about the formulated contemporary religious denominations that is now showing up as evil. Yesterday the local Daily Press (Newport News, VA) reports that even the Church of God is now considering blessing/marrying divorced people. The Lutherans are considering accepting Gay into the body of (so called) faith.

At this point I am not ready to take in the "(America/Babylon)" connection you seem to propose. I too have been down similar roads as you have traveled -- with much pain. However, I have in spite of many conflicts still remained true to my faith and committed to reach as many lost for Jesus Christ as humanly possible.

My health conditions narrow my options to what I am doing at this very moment -- talking on the 3 Ws (WWW) about Jesus and the kingdom to come -- as well as, the kingdom in which we currently reside.

Although you suffered much pain in your life experiences (addressed in your Web Site Comments) you must keep looking up, my Brother in Christ! The more time we spend talking about Satan and his activities the less time we have to talk about Jesus Christ and what He has done, is now doing, and will do when He returns. If you read any of my poorly presented articles, sermons and writings you will notice that I too have gone through years of focusing on the Beast, Satan and evil in this world that is now and that is yet to come. We need, by NECESSITY, to understand all of that. However, when we have a fairly good idea of what is going on around us, and understand the evil, we need then to turn our focus away from Satan & his devices, and turn our attention instead to the job yet to be done.

You said . . .

" Hence, it is not the nation or the establishment in America that is sending out the gospel, but the Christians in it. . .",

-- in a sense one would have to agree with that statement. However, you as well as myself, have spent time in many parts of the world. Believe me brother, America could be one of those countries that would prohibit and strongly fight any effort to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ being preached.

Just one presenter of Christ I'll highlight here: The Bible Broadcasting Network (http://www.BBNradio.org) In just a few short years they are all over the globe emanating from The United States Of America. I have never witnessed more movement of the Holy Spirit as is presently going on throughout our country, America! It is precisely because Christians in America are allowed to share our precious faith that God has continued to bless this land we (I) hold so dear . . . although, recent actions would seem to be steering us in disastrous directions. It is for that reason we do need to spend some time at the helm of restraint -- after all, our government is us! It is churches, Christians and the so-called Christian nations that Satan hates the most and is spending all his efforts on to confuse and destroy.

Oh, how much Satan would like to 'confuse our language' so that we speak a confused message. (Another tower of Babble, if you would) I think we both may have disdain for the Catholic (Roman) Church. However, no matter what you think of their doctrine, they are still known as a Christian religion. It is the "Christ" part of that churches name that Satan hates the most and is throwing everything he has toward them with an effort to bring it down. This is happening in most denominational organized religions. Satan does not deserve Christian assistance to bring them down and to destroy them.

I firmly believe there are TRUE Believers in all Christian based religions and their names will be called when Christ returns. I am going on and on far too much I reckon, but you and your writings/beliefs fascinate me. All we are really called out to be doing at this time in world history is to be Working, Watching and Ready for His return. This means spread the Gospel to every NATION!/people/land. All word semantics -- throw in the word government.

We can work ourselves into a lather trying to fight the one that only Christ himself will be able to put down. He is Satan. No other name need be used. Everyone knows who we speak of when we use the word 'Satan.'

I've run the gamete from being raised in an Independent Fundamental Premilinial Dispensational Baptist church on a hillside in Pennsylvania in the 1950s. As a child I recall that huge "TimeLine" banner that was hung from wall to wall and was studied every Wednesday night. It started with the Creation and ended with Satan being cast into the pit of fire.

There was never a better feeling experience in my memory than the days when I went there every time the door was opened.

I attended Philadelphia Bible Institute, served in the government, graduated from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (that was very liberal at that time), Duke University Divinity School (more than liberal theology -- heresy), Ordained a Baptist Minister of the Gospel, and lost it all after some years as a United Methodist Minister. By "lost it," I mean that my ministry became so sogged down by their emphasis on "all inslusiveness" that I lost my fervor, my passion to reach the lost. One dare not call people lost if one is going to be polittically correct.

It was the last experience that became my Viet Nam. I was recently pleased that they threw down the proposal to be "all inclusive" in accepting the Gay lifestyle into the clergy.

Friend, We have a lot to be thankful for.
We have a lot to fear.
Times are changing at sound-breaking speed.

We are challenged as never before.

Hang on Brother, our redemption draweth nigh!

Warm regards in Christ Jesus our Lord . . . Because of Calvary!

~Craigs On The WEB Craig Pages

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