Every sin has the promise of happiness. However, the overall theme has always been to cover up the darkness with just a bit of light. From Eden onward, this has been Satan ’s strategy. After the intro with the serpent, remember Eve’s comment about the great-looking tree? She also said it was good food and conveyed wisdom. She believed the ruse, sold Adam, and the rest is history, our continuing problem. Paul saw this possible problem among his followers and later commented, “My fear is just as the serpent seduced Eve by his cunning, your thoughts may be corrupted and you may fall away from your sincere and complete devotion to Christ” (2 Cor.11:3).
Satan is very clever and loves corruption as well as deceit. Yes, he is still hiding darkness with lying promises. Now, in the End Times, he has a new tactic for the time before his demise. His new strategy is CONFUSION everywhere. Satan realizes that his ending is approaching and is really turning on his deceptive power. Deception is still the plan, but confusion is the methodology.
Next, we will examine the current American scene.
Red, white and blue are still the colors for all Americana; but politically it is only the red/blue in a massive unprecedented struggle. This does not repeat the former political battles among candidates as these were settled at the ballot box. We now have the 45th president duly elected, but the new strategy of confusion is everywhere, every day and every hour. We will examine various aspects of confusion. However, since Almighty God is always in control and command, we will advise scriptural response to understand what is going on.
POLITICS
We start with the major foe of what we used to call decency, goodness, biblical, fairness, honesty, and even truth, all of which have been abandoned. What do we believe? Every good occasion is turned negatively. The lie, big or small, is vehemently proclaimed. What are people to believe? It seems all the broadcast media, paper or TV, have one story about the failure, indecency, and inadequacy of the present administration. Fortunately, the Fake News prattled each day by one political party is beginning to sound a little sour among good folks. We should always look to scripture for the answers. Jesus, Himself, prophesied our answer:
“Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall” (Luke 11:17, NIV).
THE MEDIA
The scriptures are replete with God’s hatred of lying as expressly stated in the ninth commandment about not bearing false witness. Here are other reminders:
“You shall not lie or speak falsely to one another” (Leviticus 19:11).
“Truthful lips endure forever; the lying tongue is only for a moment” (Proverbs 31:19).
“Let dumbness strike their lying lips that speak insolence against the just in pride and scorn” (Psalms 31:19).
“Falsehood, I hate and abhor” (Psalm 119:163).
“Stop lying to one another” (Colossians 3:9).
“See to it that you put an end to lying” (Ephesians 4:25).
“He has blinded their eyes and numbed their hearts lest they see or comprehend or have a change of heart” (John12:40).
The man who hates his brother is in darkness. He walks in shadows not knowing where he is going since the dark has blinded his eyes” (1 John 2:11).
“Every kingdom divided against itself is wait waste” (Luke 11:17).
“You cannot give yourself to God and money” (Luke 16:13b). Consider the influence of D.C. lobbyists.
“Do not slander one another” (James 4:11a).
“Where do the conflicts and disputes among you originate? Is it not your inner cravings that make war within your members?” (James 4:1).
“Do not grumble against each other or you will be judged” (James 5:9).
The Angry Public
Before we get into the everyday lies and angry protests, how do you absorb “Burn the White House; Assassinate the President or Execute Trump,” all recent cries from the left? These and similar comments are usually made by the so-called celebrities or TV hosts. Unfortunately, the inept audiences laugh at any instance of Trump bashing.
Absorbing the outright lies or innuendos from the media and coerced by major leftists or paid mobsters, the morally weak have become frightening mobs. We have seen them progress from protesters with signs to unruly throngs, physically attacking righteous people. Note the play on words as the right people are the Trump people. The hatred is so epidemic that individual groups of people are beaten up, spit upon, or asked to leave public places. The latest actions are to bodily confront the police. It seems that the democratic eagle has flown the coop. Is our new mascot an inflamed bird of prey?
Salvation
This confusion is not Satan’s total fault, although he probably pushed “The Bible is a myth” as a lie. So many times I have heard a questioning voice say, “I hope I make it to heaven.” This usually comes forth from folks affiliated with major denominations, not the smaller ones. This is due to the lack of Bible studies or no push from the ministers in larger churches. Jesus knew this would happen in the church era when He said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it” (Luke 11:28).
Jesus also paraphrased an earlier inspiration, “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). It is such a pleasure referring to the Bible as there are so many answers to our difficulties. Regarding hope, Paul advised, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” Hebrews 11:1, NIV).
If the people unmindful of scriptural truths just knew two scriptural passages, their doubts of their heavenly reward would be unfounded and they could achieve peace.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
1 John 5:13 “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”
Summary: The practicing Christian already has eternal life; and upon his passing, it will be fully revealed and wonderful.
LBGTQ
I just mastered the alphetical progression of the acronym, LBGT, when someone added another letter. For reference, the “Q” is non-specific to either gender or sexual orientation (USA Today). However, when you question any organization, you are labelled some sort of phobic. In relationship to homosexuality, the tout is homophobic. I checked Merriam-Webster, and the title is: “irrational fear, aversion to, or discrimination against homosexuality or homosexuals.” By this definition, God is homophobic as His scriptures say that a man lying with another man like he would with a woman is an abomination (Leviticus 29:13 and repeated in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 and Romans 1:26-28). Why is this so?
The action contradicts God who created man and woman in His image and commanded them to be fertile and multiply (Genesis 1:26-28). Scripture also says, “I am God; yes, from eternity I am He; there is none who can deliver from my hand: who can counterman what I do?” (Isaiah 43:13). Paul adds a warning: “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).
After centuries of nations following God’s law, the U.S. Supreme court has re-interpreted marriage between a man and a woman to include a man to a man and a woman to a woman. This is the rallying cry of the LBGT. The upshot is confusion among school youngsters about their gender. What is more confusing is that some parents are letting their children make up their own mind what gender they are. Ridiculous! Are their mirrors broken?
There has also been a recent article about two fourteen-year-old girls who had their breasts removed as they thought they were supposed to be boys. It is difficult to understand how parents would let their children make life-changing decisions before they are 21 or so. It is not difficult how and why a few doctors would perform the operations on confused children. Could money be the reason rather than serving mankind? Whoa, it doesn’t seem that children have reached the intellectual maturity of mankind yet. Incredibly, U.S. kindergarten children are being taught gender fluidity by drag queens reading to them, the thought being that changing gender will be more fun (Rapture Ready 8/7/2018).
Once again we can turn to scripture for an understanding:
“I have called you by name; you are mine” (Isaiah 43:16)
“This is what the Lord says, your redeemer who formed you in the womb,
I am the Lord who has made all things” (Isaiah 44:24).
“It was I who made the earth and created mankind upon it” (Isaiah 45:12).
“Remember who formed you from the womb; I AM Lord who made all things” (Isaiah 44:4).
“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:16).
While we are caught in a crossfire between God’s laws and the nation’s laws, it is well to recollect the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Vegans
How can there be any confusion about food? Satan is also evident here really stirring up the pot. Are you confused about food groups such as sugar-free; non-gmo; organic; gluten-free; whole grains; kosher; bpa-ni compliant; fish oil; coconut oil and other potential additives? How about coffee or eggs alternately being bad for us, then oh, they are good for us.
While we can turn to the Bible and relate to God’s command to Peter that What God has purified, we are not to call unclean (Acts 10:15), enter the specter of modern farming and government regulations Some folks do have inherent health problems due to food while others have similar problems due to processing. I remember my brother was allergic to eggs, but grew out of this problem later in life.
While we may have caused our own food problems in the erroneous belief that we were increasing production and improving food, the opposite is true. I see the main problem is among young people who are making unknowledgeable food decisions, becoming vegans just to be part of a group. That is one problem. The second problem is parents who are allowing their children to make bad health decisions instead of the parents guiding and controlling food intake. Here is another confusion, this time family related. Young children should not be allowed to make health decisions.
Trying to put humor into this phenomenon, someone said, “I am a second-class vegan. Cows eat grass; I eat cows.”
Abortions
It is confusing that some Americans want open borders to objectively get immigrants and illegals on voter lists. Contrast this with over sixty million future American citizens and taxpayers being eliminated. The official USA figures for the morning of August 2, 2018, is 60,613,799 (well over 60 million) babies being destroyed since Roe vs. Wade in 1973. The worldwide number is a staggering over one billion.
Some historical writers have compared this action to ancients sacrificing their children to the idol god, Baal. It is not too much of a stretch to see American women sacrificing their children to a god called inconvenience. This is another ruse of Satan who will use any method to thwart God’s plan, whatever the action or the title.
I don’t plan on debating so-called women’s rights versus no rights for the babies’ nor the action of the Supreme Court. It was God who said to our first parents to be fertile and multiply. Throughout the Holy Scriptures, God had some serious comments about the young:
Psalm 127:3 “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord; the fruit of the womb is a reward.”
Isaiah 49:15 “Can a woman forget her nursing child and not have compassion on the son of her womb?”
Mathew 18:10 “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones.”
Mark 10:14 “Let the little children come to me, and do not forbid them, for of such is the kingdom of God.”
Luke 17:2 “It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea than that he should offend one of these little ones.”
We have come full circle now that many believe the child in the womb is not human; therefore, being inconvenient, they can be disposed of and their little parts sold.
Global Warming
What a marvelous investigative concept that was confusion itself from the beginning. The updates caused further concerns:
-In 2007, the BBC reported global warming would leave the Artic ice-free by 2013. A picture of a polar bear on a small piece of ice due to global warming comes to mind.
-By contrast, the Daily Mail reported that, as of September 2017, there was a 29% increase in Artic ice over that of 2012. In the same month, NASA reported that the Antarctic ice reported a new maximum increase.
-In September 2007 and repeated in September 2017, 500 British scientists refuted global warming dangers, saying a new study shows carbon dioxide levels irrelevant to global warming. (WND)
George Soros wants Facebook to ban anyone who does not believe in global warming (Rapture Ready-8/8/18).
The conflicting beliefs on global warming should have ended after a Forbes article on February 24, 2014, with the following points:
“Atmospheric carbon dioxide exerts a diminishing warmup effect as it increases!”
“Because none of the United Nations models have been scientifically validated, based on past temperature observations, there is only a very weak scientific argument that global warming is a fact.”
“The current data discussed here establishes indisputably that global warming is not a fact today.”
Replacement Theology
This is a major thrust by the author of confusion, as it seems logical. This is easy to define as the belief that since the Jews did not accept Jesus as the Messiah, all the promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob belong to the church. This one belief is the possible worldwide cause of anti-Semitism throughout the ages and growing increasingly manifest in our times.
The current premise of some of the major denominations is that the church is the custodian of former Jewish rights. This seems logical—logical that is except for some profound truths.
God made a covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, an unbreakable promise to them.
God’s promises are unchangeable as related in Numbers 23:19.
God states in both Testaments that no one should add or subtract from the scriptures (Deuteronomy 4:2 and Revelation 22:19-19).
Since when do major denominations and churches have the right to change or re-interpret God’s word?
How can you misinterpret “My name shall be in Jerusalem forever” (Isaiah 45:13-NASB)?
If any person or denomination accepts this new theology, their basis is not only faulty but erroneous. Therefore, anything else they promulgate is also suspect.
New-Age Religions
If Satan cannot attack stalwart Christians directly, he poses a two-fold thrust. The first is to establish false religions and doctrines that attract semi-believers and non-believers. The second is to influence apostasy within the Christian churches by working through the U.S. courts. As an example, Christianity has been removed from public schools and external monuments while Islam has been introduced. With recent rulings against what constitutes marriage, the general feeling now is how can anyone be against love in any form?
The attack exposes lukewarm Christian churches (Jesus’ warning in Revelation) while highlighting other opportunities such as Oriental or Eastern beliefs, Wiccan and other demonic movements; Oriental workout systems that include a mantra to idols, and New-Age mysticism. In addition, there is a growing push for the one-world religion which will happen per scripture.
Here are a few examples of confusion:
The proclamation that atheists can achieve heaven by leading good lives. (Pope Francis-today’s News Dec. 26, 2015).
All roads lead to heaven because all religions preach goodness.
The Catholic Church’s relationship with the Muslims: “The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham and together with us, they adore the one merciful God, mankind’s judge on the last day.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, paragraph 841, page 223)
God knew about the apostasy in the End-Times church and commented, “Their reverence for me has become routine observance of the precepts of men” i.e. doctrines or dogmas (Isaiah 29:13-15). Within the time of Jesus, He repeated this as the Jewish clergy of His time were noted to grind out rules and doctrines. Some Christian churches and major denominations still believe they have better ideas than those found in the sacred writings inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Regardless of modern false christs and other religions adoring others, do not be deceived: there is only one mediator:
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
“For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man, Jesus Christ” (1 Timothy 2:5).
Togetherness
Here is a major thrust of Satan as the court’s new definition of marriage has caused widespread confusion among couples. Statistics today show that 2/3 of couples are living together without marriage. Scripture calls this fornication. We used to call this shacking-up, then it became partnership; now it is called cohabitation which is somewhat uppity or more legalistic sounding. A study by Marnetz/Bush from Ohio State University showed, “Cohabitation simply doesn’t carry the stigma it used to.” (In a similar vein, I wonder how many millennials understand what the word bastard meant for centuries before our enlightened era.)
Continuing, “Marriage is so old fashioned,” the University of Denver commented that, “It is no longer practicing before marriage, but more like super dating.” Unfortunately, there are some frightening statistics:
The average length of cohabitation is only eight months. (Andrew Chelin, University of Denver)
– Forty percent of cohabitating couples have children, but 64 percent of such couples dissolve within five years. This obviously generates additions to the new class of “single mothers with children.” Seventy percent of black children live in a one-parent home. (Fox News 8/6/2018)
Living together before marriage can increase the chance of getting a divorce by as much as forty percent. (USA govt. study)
Summary
We have seen that confusion is everywhere in these End Times. As Christians we should know and realize that, when confusion is present, it is not from the Lord. If you perceive confusion, run; don’t walk away. And do not get caught in unseemly discussions. Paul warned Timothy and Titus about such discussions:
“Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments because you know they produce quarrels” (2 Timothy 2:22).
“Avoid foolish controversies, genealogies and arguments about the law because these are unprofitable and useless” (Titus 3:9).
Instead, consider that the gospel is wisdom and truth. Take hold of the revealed words of scripture and live without the compromises of confusion that others see. Your actions will be a noticeable witness to the troubled multitude.