The Three Elijahs |
There were three
Elijah’s,
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Chapter Six
A Review of the Background and the Escalation of Lawlessness
To try and grasp the need for an understanding of the overall and complete ministry of the Apostle and the Elijah of the end-time, it is necessary at this point for us to take a look at this country and its moral state at the time this Work began through Mr. Armstrong in 1934, and see where it had escalated to at the time of his death in 1986, and beyond!
There are two major reasons as to why this is important:
- It
marked the real beginning of the end-time.
- Due to this beginning of the end-time, that would cover more than 75 years before the return of Jesus Christ, it was necessary for the end-time Elijah to begin His ministry. This was prophesied by both the prophet Malachi, and Jesus Christ Himself, to match the years of the beginning of his ministry with the real beginning slide into the utter depths of evil by the nations of Israel over the 55 years of his mission (Malachi 4:4-6; Matthew 17:11).
Though the slide into the depths of sin has multiplied greatly since the year of his death, there was enough of the same evils being practiced at that time to picture to him where Israel and the world was heading, and he warned of the consequences of it right up to the time of his last telecast!
Due to his understanding and preaching about it over many years, it was not necessary for his ministry to continue as other prophecies had to be fulfilled that had no place for him or any other chief human shepherd for he, or another, would have stood in the way of their fulfillment.
One such prophecy makes known there was to be a time of falling away of the overall membership of the Church (II Thessalonians 2:1-3). At the same time, there would be the scattering of the true membership of the Church, and with it, the testing and purifying of God’s people (Daniel 12:7, 10).
In order to fully understand the need for Jesus Christ to send this man of the end-time, it will be necessary to cover a lot of material in this area.
This is very important as there is a need to really grasp the dramatic increase in the moral slide of Israel into such total depravity of sin here in the closing years of this age from the beginning of his mission to where we now are in this new century!
It can be witnessed anywhere if one cares to look! Those of us who are older should realize the tremendous difference from the 1940s to now and be alarmed at what has happened over just these past few years!
The Grave Need for the Elijah
When considering this incredulous change over the course of just a few short years, one should begin to understand why it was necessary that Jesus Christ send the Elijah to Israel with the mission of turning a sufficient number of people back to Him. Had this not taken place this earth would have experienced total destruction; and all human life would have perished with it (Malachi 4:6).
Can our minds grasp this sobering fact?
Sadly, the younger generation think what they see now is how it has always been. They have no real concept of the changes going on all around them or of the significance of what they are seeing is leading them and the nations of Israel into the Great Tribulation!
The Importance of Understanding
Though we are God's true people, we need to realize we are also much like the proverbial frog who became so conditioned to the water gradually heating around him that he didn’t realize he was being roasted to death until it was too late to escape and it cost him his life!
Over the past few decades the evil of today's civilization has so subtly and slowly developed in this country – and other nations of Israel, that it is no longer being viewed as it really is by virtually anyone!
Even religion for the most part can be compared to that of the proverbial ostrich who buries its head in the sand not wanting to seriously think about the seriousness of the evil being practiced and its consequences!
As the result the evil has now so completely saturated the societies of the nations of Israel there no longer seems to be any hope left for them!
In reality we may have reached the point where God tells us to no longer pray for His chosen people, Israel (Jeremiah 7:16; 11:14; 14:11).
The House of Joseph Leading the Way
Sadly, it would be the House of Joseph who would lead the other nations of Israel and the world down the primrose path to total lawlessness.
When studying the history of the United States from 1934 to now, it becomes much easier to see this was the real beginning of the eradication of standards of godly conduct! Over the years society has replaced those standards with its own concept of right and wrong – a new low morality. In so doing they have moved the laws of God behind their back!
As already noted, it slowly crept up over the next two decades, from 1934 to 1954! From there it increased very rapidly!
Those of a much older age can look back over those years and see the real beginning of the breakdown in society that began during World War II! After the war was over in 1945 a noticeable climb could be witnessed and accelerating ever so slightly. A few years later it really began to worsen very rapidly due to many factors in this country.
Some of those major areas will be noted in this writing.
The Entrance of Nuclear Bombs
As already noted the mid-forties saw the development of the atom bomb that was used to bring to a close the war with Japan after dropping two of them on two of their large cities.
Just a few short years later came the development of the bomb of all bombs – the hydrogen bomb; a bomb that is so awesome in destructive power as to defy human imagination (please review chapter one)!
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Many scientists and leaders expressed their fears that, as the result of the development of these BIG BOMBS, mankind had entered the time of the end! It would be just a matter of time, as noted earlier in these writings!
“The Day After,” a movie made a few years ago, shows in graphic detail the aftermath of an enemy nation dropping nuclear bombs on this country. It is highly recommended that one see this movie for in so doing a little of the reality can be grasped of what is prophesied to take place before much longer.
The awesome explosive power of the nuclear bombs have made it possible for whole cities to be leveled, just as was Nagasaki and Hiroshima, Japan in 1945. The destruction of a few cities is minimal in comparison when we consider the potential now exists of blasting all life from off this planet as shown in the first chapter of this writing!
Though people were terribly frightened at the beginning of the nuclear age, it did not last! Over the years that followed it appears most people have become so conditioned to living on the brink of cosmoscide they probably never give any real thought to it any longer.
A Terrifying Warning of the End
In
view of the horrifying bombs that came on the scene at that time, it
should have been a terrifying warning
that the destructive power was now present that could erase mankind
from off this planet!
And it very probably would have already occurred except
for the intervention of the Creator God! 
Consider the head-on clash of Premier Krushchev and President Kennedy over Russia sending ships with missiles and nuclear warheads to Cuba in 1962 – just a few short years ago! Most people do not realize how perilously close nuclear warfare came to be with Russia!
1962 Cuban missile crisis
On the brink
of nuclear war
ON
THE 22 October 1962 the president of the United States, John F Kennedy,
made a speech to the nation. Informing everyone of the build up of
offensive nuclear weapons (supplied by the Soviet Union) in Cuba, he
announced a blockade of ships carrying military equipment to Cuba. He
demanded the Soviet Union withdraw these weapons and "to
move the world back from the abyss of destruction."
There were frantic discussions once it was established that these weapons were nuclear and with an intermediate range could reach many key US cities.
A
US intelligence document of the time states
the following:- Analysis of SAM (Surface to Air Missile) sites:
"...accepted range of SS-4 missile: includes - Phil-adelphia,
Pittsburgh, St Louis, Oklahoma City, Fort Worth - Dallas, Houston, San
Antonio, Mexico City, all the capitals of the Central American nations,
the Panama Canal and the oil fields in Maricaibo, Venezuela. The
presence of operational SS-4 missiles in this location would give the
Soviets a great military asset."
Jesus Christ intervened then and continues to do so at such critical times to keep it from taking place. And it will not happen UNTIL it fits within God’s time-table! And that time is rapidly coming upon the nations of Israel.
This close call should have been sufficient cause for people to wake up and repent of their sinful ways and really begin to plead with God for His intervention to prevent those bombs from ever being used by madmen!
Another writer reveals the closeness of a nuclear war between Pakistan and India in 2002:
EARLIER THIS year, 2002, Pakistan and India came to the brink of war over their occupation of Kashmir. The possibility of nuclear weapons being used, killing millions, loomed large. Comparisons were made with the 'Cuban missile crisis' of 40 years ago. JANE JAMES looks at what happened in October 1962 and how close the United States and the Soviet Union then came to a nuclear war.
It seems people forget so quickly and move on with their lives as if nothing could happen that could cost them their lives.
The
same is true with what took place on
September 11, 2001 when terrorists flew planes into the twin towers and
the Pentagon. Almost 3,000 people perished that day never realizing
when they boarded the passenger planes there would be no going home
again in this life.
People were moved at that moment in time and seemed to come together, but it did not last. After a very short time they moved on with their lives putting this terrible time behind them and life continued as before!
Failure to face Reality
Today, it is just the opposite! Leaders and people of today hardly even give a thought that they could perish at any time! There is no fear for the most part, for it has not happened, and it appears people will not wake up to its terrible and tragic reality until it is too late!
To illustrate this apathy, there was an article in the Los Angeles Times, June 13, 2006, that stated scientists are racing once again, as they did in the 1940s, to rebuild an aging nuclear stockpile.
Scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory are locked in an intense competition with rivals at Lawrence Livermore Laboratory in the Bay area to design the nation's first nuclear bomb in two decades. I have so far seen no follow-up article about this.
We can only imagine what other nations are doing with their nuclear arsenals.
Times have changed dramatically from just a few short years ago.
A Personal Example
While serving in the army in Germany during World War II, during front line combat with the German army, virtually all of us began to think seriously about God and even prayed to Him. We knew our lives were on the line and we could be shot and killed at any time, for we had seen it happen to others who were serving with us.
I recall that someone mentioned that the law of averages would catch up with us sooner or later and we would also be shot and possibly killed. I know I prayed and from what I could hear and see the other soldiers who were also religiously inclined undoubtedly prayed as well. I even heard a religious song being sung, hummed, or whistled in between times of actual combat!
In this day and age few even bother to seriously consider the real and ever present danger that threatens all of mankind let alone praying their hearts out that God would keep what is soon to take place from ever happening!
In addition to nuclear war, there is the continued threat from suicidal terrorists who want to destroy the nations of Israel. There is also the very high crime rate along with other possible life-threatening dangers that confronts virtually everyone wherever they live! The news continually makes known almost every day that men and women are being found dead from the violent acts of others.
The latest crime statistics from the FBI reveal that violent crime in 2005 increased at the highest rate in 15 years, driven by a surge of killings and other attacks in many mid-western cities (The Washington Post, June 13, 2006)
It is sad that society for the most part moves on without any serious consideration of the Great God in heaven above who could and would protect them if they were to acknowledge Him as the true lawgiver and cease from transgressing His holy righteous laws!
Society should realize the times in which we now live are far more dangerous to human life than we were in either of the two World Wars in this past century, or at any time in the history of mankind! However there is no real evidence of it in society though there are a few commentators and writers who continue to warn of the real dangers we are facing as a nation and the world. Their voices and writings go unheard and unheeded.
The 1950s
The real escalation of lawlessness was witnessed more fully in the 1950s and in a manner that would have been shocking to earlier generations had not society already been conditioned to it.
It was during those years that a very major breakdown began in family traditions in this country spiraling downward along with the other nations of Israel! And, as it has been truthfully said, "As goes the family also goes the world!" This is very plain in view of where the family now is today!
In comparison to today, divorce was virtually unheard of before war broke out in Europe in 1939! But the breakup of families began to accelerate during the years that followed the end of the war in 1945.
Largely
this was due to wives leaving the home to work in the factories to help
out with the war effort. With both husbands and wives working away from
the home they had very little family time together.
In many situations women were spending more time on the job with other men than they were with their husbands, and this came to be a real problem with too many husbands and wives.
From that time to now there has been rampant divorce, and one can be obtained for practically any reason. Statistics reveal the percentage for divorces is about 50 percent.
The percentage would be even greater if it were not for people now living together without the bond of marriage. In this kind of relationship there are no legal ties and one or the other can walk away any time. Though there is no known percentage rate for this kind of breakup one can be sure it is rather high!
Alternatives to Natural Sexual Relationships
About the same time there were men and women who came out into the open about their alternatives to natural sex! This became a rapid move toward the permissiveness of deviant sexual relationships, even to the bizarre!
These kinds of sexual relationships have now reached the point that marriage, as God intended it between men and women, is rapidly moving to something radically different! Family relationships as we have known them are in real danger of becoming extinct!
Just during the past few years we have been shocked to learn that there are men in the Congress of the United States of America who are known homosexuals. There are also the same kinds of men to be found in the highest offices in this country on the state and national level.
In addition, we were shocked to learn that some of the leading male and female movie stars are involved in homosexuality and lesbianism! There was great disappointment in learning of their deviant sexual preferences, for they were looked up to as being above such things.
From what can be read many producers of movies today are also of these kinds of people. With this in mind it is easily understood why the movies portray these people in a very favorable light!
Same Sex Marriages
Since so many of these men and women are celebrities, and others occupying some of the highest offices – who have openly made known their sexual preferences – it has led to many accepting what they do as being normal!
Sadly, the whole of society has accepted them as they are without any real dissent! The alternatives to natural sex have now accelerated to the point that many of these same people have begun entering into marriage legally with one another in parts of this country and in other nations of Israel!
The United Kingdom
In this context it is important to reemphasize that which was already noted in the previous chapter from the following news article that makes known the United Kingdom is very much involved with like people in all levels of their society due to the acceptance of these kinds of base relationships by the highest of offices in that country!
The enormity of this terrible problem is evident from one of England's leading Newspapers, recounting the opening of Parliament in November 2003, with the speech by the Queen, who made some blush in shame that she would say the things she did.
Perhaps it is only tacit agreement on her part but with her very high office as Queen of the United Kingdom what she says encourages her subjects to accept the perverted way of the sodomite and lesbian way of life as defined by the holy Bible.
Consider once again the following quotes regarding the new thinking and agreement with it:
Daily Mail, November 26, 2003:
“The word ‘marriage’ is to be purged - in the cause for equality for homosexuals. References to it will be removed from Government records and documents. The institution of marriage will effectively be swept aside from almost every role of the state - including benefits, taxation and immigration law. It could even be wiped from future state records, statistics and censuses. The ban will be brought in with the ‘gay marriage’ laws to be announced in the Queen’s speech today.
“Instead of asking for ‘marital status’ - official forms will refer to ‘civil status’ to include both married couples and gays. The Department of Trade and Industry, which has devised the laws, said marriage would be dropped at every opportunity from state documents.”
The Stench of Sin
This is enough to make decent people hang their heads in embarrassment and shame for these two great nations! Nations whose history reflects the blessings from God are now witnessing those blessings being turned into curses from Him because of the stench of their abominable sins.
Homosexual "Marriages" in the United Kingdom
As
The Telegraph reported on December 22, 2005, "The
most sweeping social reform for 40 years came to fruition yesterday
when nearly 700 couples, including Sir Elton John and David Furnish,
celebrated England's first gay 'weddings.' [Elton John was
knighted by the Queen some little time ago.]
“To the delight of gay rights campaigners and the dismay of many Church leaders, homosexual couples 'tied the knot' in ceremonies that were hardly distinguishable from civil marriages.
“The sense of history was heightened by Tony Blair, who welcomed the new civil partnerships as 'a modern, progressive step' of which he was proud. …
"But hard-line Christian campaigners described the 'weddings' as 'a sham and an affront to almighty God'. Stephen Green, the national director of Christian Voice, said: 'Ordinary people will be revolted by the sight of these couples embracing and the recognition in our law of what the Bible describes as an abomination and 'vile affection' will bring judgment on our land from the same Almighty God who destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.'"
In a related article of the Evening Standard, which was published on December 19, it was reported that prior to Sir Elton John's wedding, a video message from former president Bill Clinton was played at a cabaret party. In the message, Mr. Clinton congratulated Elton John and David Furnish, stating, "If there were more people like Elton, the world would be a better place."
This is an absolute affront to the Almighty God!!!
Because of the acceptance of their behavior by society virtually all of them have come out of the closet and openly and blatantly make known their deviant life-style just as prophecy makes known they would do in our time:
“The look on their countenance witnesses against them, and they DECLARE their sin as Sodom; they do NOT hide it. Woe to their soul! For they have brought evil upon themselves” (Isaiah 3:9).
If anything, Britain is in the leading role of what will soon be fully found in the law-making bodies of the United States.
It should be understood that the slide of marriage into oblivion in England is due to the very large and powerful numbers of the homosexual and lesbian population who have clout and influence in the highest places. They affect change through their ballots and a complicit news media.
Tragically, there is no shame and embarrassment shown by these people any longer for what they practice in their lives just as one of God’s prophets wrote that it would be:
“Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed; nor did they known how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; at the time I will punish them, they shall be cast down,” says the Lord (Jeremiah 6:15; 8:12).
It is so very sad that multiple millions of people in America and the United Kingdom have embraced all sorts of beliefs and behaviors in our day that would have horrified their parents' generation.
The Door Opening Wider in Canada
The door has also opened very wide both socially and legally for this kind of behavior in Canada! One can now involve his or herself in their chosen sex life in whatever way imaginable without any recriminations from the law in this country or the other nations of Israel.
For example, the news of fairly recent date has made known that the lawmakers in Canada approved group sex clubs. This makes possible group sexual relationships with men and men, women with women, and men with women. This includes sexual relationships with girls as young as age 14. Please note this in the following news article:
Canada a New Haven for Pedophiles?
The WorldNetDaily, December 27, 2005, made known that Canada's Supreme Court has given green light to sex clubs, involving boys and girls as young as 14, and has thereby opened Pandora's Box for pedophiles. The article explained:
"The Canadian Supreme Court ruling that redefined obscenity for that nation and legalized group-sex clubs, combined with Canada's unusually low age of consent--14--will result in an influx of pedophiles to America's neighbor to the north, contends a former consultant to the U.S. Justice Department... [Judith] Reisman, [word-renowned scholar and author]... says the court's decision sends a clear message to pedophiles: 'You don't have to go to Asia anymore. Pedophiles can have the blond, blue-eyed kids in Canada, too.'... The liberalization of the Canadian courts, the author contends, shows 'that pedophiles or politicians who refuse to prosecute these types of crimes are in power more than ever in Canada.'"
Young
Children Taught Acceptance
in the
School System
In addition, homosexuality has become so widespread and accepted by society that it is now legally taught in the American school system to children as young as 5 years of age as an acceptable alternative lifestyle.
The almost total disintegration of traditional sexual mores has brought these young children to an epidemic of sex among 11-, 12-, 13- and 14-year-olds in our nation's middle schools.
In the area where we live the young people who profess to be homosexual or lesbian had their own prom recently without any public outcry by anyone. Pictures of their dancing together were prominently displayed in the local newspaper.
Very few people even care to know the facts as to how many children have herpes and Chlamydia and other sexually transmitted diseases that they may never get over! One should realize there is always a penalty to pay for the transgression of God's holy and righteous laws.
Sooner or later the penalty is there! Medical doctors then try to cope with these diseases with their drugs. Sometimes they are successful to a point and other times they are not!
Sometime ago a news article said that having sex with another person is like playing Russian roulette. One out of five sex partners can cause a person to contract an incurable venereal disease.
Recently, WND Managing Editor David Kupelian, author of the controversial best-seller "The Marketing of Evil," gave a speech at Washington, D.C.'s prestigious Heritage Foundation. In his sometimes shocking address, Kupelian provided many illustrations from today's news of how – as the book's subtitle says – "radicals, elitists and pseudo-experts sell us corruption disguised as freedom.”
In
his book he clearly makes known the beliefs and behaviors that are
destroying our society and this once great country. I recommend the
purchase of his book.
There are also other books that can be purchased that have been written by well-known authors who voice their apprehensions regarding the very questionable continuance of our society as a nation based on the many accelerating problems confronting all of us!
Responsibility for the Evil
Who is really responsible for this sad state of licentiousness? The answer: the clergy and the majority of the voting public! The lawmakers are a reflection of their constituents; the people they serve in their states. If they do not vote according to the mood and desires of the people they serve, they would not be elected or re-elected by them.
God holds those who are responsible accountable for the lawless and deviant behavior that abounds today, along with those who do nothing about their elected officials who are doing nothing to halt such practices.
As the result of the expression of the will of the people, lawmakers continue to pass such bills, which are then upheld by the judiciary! These legalized man-made laws are contrary to the laws of God and the fallout from them is that this nation and other nations of Israel continue to move forward at an accelerating speed toward the Great Tribulation.
That will be a time too awful to contemplate! But it will also be a time of sobering and sorrowful reality!
The
Receptive Door
of
Music and Lyrics
The real escalation of the abominable sins we are now seeing on virtually every level of society began in the 1950s.
Ironically, it began to accelerate with music and song that was directed toward the young people and was wildly received by them. This had a very definite detrimental impact on that generation of young people, for it led to their rebellion against social authority! The fallout from it was witnessed throughout society and continues today!
From the wings of the stage of musical entertainment entered a young man with his hip-swinging rock music. His unabashed simulated sexual style with his rock form of music and lyrics opened much wider the licentious way of life for illicit sexual relationships!
This young man was Elvis Presley! Recorded history of that time reveals he was wildly and enthusiastically received by the young people of that generation! His popularity grew so greatly that even conservative television gave way to him and sought his presence on their shows (one of which was the Ed Sullivan show).
At first the cameras were not to go below his waist, but over some little time he began to have full-length exposure.
And, though he has been dead for some years, he is yet idolized by millions and imitated by others. Their worship of him continues for many do not want to believe he is dead! Many of his followers visit his home (Graceland) each year. Larry King did his show there this year (2007) while interviewing Priscilla Presley.
The Pied Piper
Though radical leaders in Hollywood and in other places played a very big part toward the downfall of this country, but it was Elvis Presley who was the historical Pied Piper who spoke to them with his song and music of a new and licentious freedom!
Like the Pied Piper they eagerly received what he sang and followed him into the forest to be symbolically dismembered and destroyed in ways that are yet to be realized. Many have already died due to hard drugs and ravenous social diseases!
Elvis Presley was very much like his predecessor, pre-flood, Jubal! Jubal was also gifted in the area of music and song. He opened the door of his generation and contributed in a major way to all of mankind perishing by drowning during the Flood; all, that is, except Noah and his immediate family (Genesis 4:21).
The Powerful Influence of Music and Lyrics
Music and lyrics have the incredible power to manipulate and capture the mood of people for good or bad. It has very wide up and down ranges and can affect the emotions of virtually everyone.
EXAMPLE: David played his musical instrument in the presence of King Saul to quieten the raving irresponsible manic that he was at times:
I Samuel 16:14 “. . . a skilled player on the harp (Hebrew, kinnon, guitar -- an instrument with many strings (Companion Bible). It was played in both a standing or sitting position (Experimental Commentary)
I Samuel 16:16, 23 “And it came to pass, that when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand, so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.”
Music can have powerful effects on virtually anyone: Depending on the purpose, music from school bands can generate excitement among the crowds during ballgames, create the desire to dance, stir the lust for illicit sexual relationships, and also bring people into a state of sadness and despair!
Music and song can captivate and enrapture the emotions and moods for good or bad in almost any circumstance. Together they can inspire, enlighten, thrill, and cause people to cry as at funerals, or allow one to sit enthralled while basking in the lyrics of songs produced by the hands of skilled musicians.
It can also throw one into the depths of despair. It can stir up acts of violence and incite riot! It has a very powerful influence over every age group.
In summary, music can be used by God for good or bad by Satan.
A Very Powerful Tool of Satan the Devil
One should realize that song accompanied by music is a very powerful tool of Satan the devil. He has used it from the beginning of the creation of mankind for deadly purposes through willing, receptive, and talented people.
And there seems to be no lack of such people who are seeking recognition and popularity through this medium! Their wrong kind of music can be heard on almost any radio station, as well as other outlets, all readily available for anyone to add to this licentious way of life! (It should be noted that those involved in this kind of music are unaware of Satan’s involvement as he is an invisible spirit being.)
Music and song, especially rap, has not only led to the removal of inhibitions and acceptance of wrongful sexual relationships, but also to a host of other problems, including the extreme of generating rebellion with the intent to rape and even kill others. One should also realize there is no tenderness, gentleness or love expressed in rap!
This bad music has been a definite contributing factor to the LUST for sex that has developed over the past few years to the extent that it can now be seen in simulated form on virtually any television channel.
No longer does one see modesty, embarrassment, or shame on screen, except in a few old black and white movies.
With this in mind, think about the way men and women kissed in former years; in which a kiss expressed the tenderness of love for one another. Even passionate kisses were still on the lips of one another.
Now it is trying to suck on the other person’s lips or trying to swallow the other person's tongue, open-mouth to open-mouth, which is intimated to be a kiss but plainly it is not! Rather, it is pure lust!
Accompanying this unlawful freedom from God's laws, one can now see on television almost any kind of perversion simulated between women with women and men with men! What they do on screen is so realistic that there is extremely little left to the imagination.
This freewheeling of lustful actions in all forms is so widely accepted that music is not really needed anymore as a lead-in to excite lust within people! Though it still plays a major role as a stimulus for lustful sex, it has fulfilled its purpose in bringing the baby-boomers and their offspring to where they now are in their destructive way of life.
Upon reflection one should be able to grasp the fact that the introduction of the wrong kind of music and song by Elvis Presley during the 1950s has also been a real contributing factor to virtually every movie produced by Hollywood; movies that are filled with sex and the vicious and brutal killings of men and women!
There have been studies of movies that portray blood and gore in such vivid detail that they have led some authorities to believe some people copy what they see on the screen and carry it out in real life.
Lucifer
was Created
with
Great Genius in Music
The one who is really responsible for all the terrible things we witness today is Satan the devil. He was the invisible moving force who used Elvis Presley, the Beatles, and all those who followed them as well as all those he has used in the field of music from the beginning of mankind to introduce and accelerate the evil that would follow in its wake.
When God created Lucifer, he was not only created with great wisdom and beauty, but he also was given great genius in music (Ezekiel 28:13). He was the greatest of God's created angelic beings.
Tragically, over time, he became an adversary to God by trying to topple Him from His throne in heaven. His name was then changed to Satan the devil; and after mankind was created it became his avowed purpose to destroy all of humankind.
Among the other tools in his arsenal toward that end is his great ability in music, manipulating receptive and willing musicians to fulfill his purpose of destruction and death of all, just as he also uses deception and other devious ways to turn people away from God!
Examples of Destructive Intent with Ancient Israel
Though we do not have the names of the skilled musicians who were a definite contributing factor to the deaths of many thousands in Israel when they rose up to play while Moses was up on the mountain with God, one can be sure music was very much involved in their licentious dancing that led to idolatry, adultery, and fornication (Exodus 32:4-6). Consider the following comments:
Of
the rising up to play at Mount Sinai as Mocking God:
"The triumphal hymn of Moses had unquestionably a religious character about it; but the employment of music in religious services, though idolatrous, is more distinctly marked in the festivities which attended the erection of the golden calf." (Smith's Bible Dictionary, Music, p. 589).
"And the people celebrated this feast with burnt-offerings and thank-offerings, with eating and drinking, i.e. with sacrificial meals and sports, or with loud rejoicing, shouting, antiphonal songs, and dances, in the same manner in which the Egyptians celebrated their feast of Apis (Herod. 2, 60, and 3, 27)." (Keil and Delitzsch, Vol. II, p. 222).
There was yet another time, while Israel was crossing the desert, when music undoubtedly played a destructive role. The virile young men of Israel were lured from their encampment by young, attractive Midianite women to an idolatrous feast in honor of their demon gods.
While feasting with music and song they began wildly dancing and then were willingly seduced by these women.
One prince of Israel was so emboldened by it all that that he took a princess of the Midianite women openly into his tent in the sight of Moses and the people. While their bodies were joined together in a sexual relationship, Phinehas, a priest of God, entered the tent and plunged his spear through both of them! That act by Phinehas stopped the plague God had brought on Israel for their idolatrous actions (Numbers 25:6-8).
Due to Israel’s idolatry with the Midianite’s demon gods and illicit relationship with these women, God had all the Israelite men killed who had involved themselves in this manner (Numbers 25:1-5, 9; Revelation 2:14).
Composers of Lyrics and Music
Although there is good music to be found here and there that sometimes can be uplifting and even inspiring, but too often there are men and women in all levels in society who Satan uses to compose and arrange the music into various destructive forms to try and destroy the human race!
Satan well realizes the emotional impact it has on the old and young alike, for good or bad, and he uses it to its full advantage (Ezekiel 28:13)!
This also includes the music and song that identifies the pagan religions of Astarte and the Baals in their congregational services and on their holidays, such as Christmas, Easter, New Years, Halloween, etc!
Music also identifies the different countries in their national anthems, such as America, Britain, Ireland, Mexico, Germany, China, etc.
It once identified the Church of God by the hymns we sang each Sabbath and on the Holy Days. Thankfully, they are still loved and sung yet today by God's true people.
Music also identified the World Tomorrow Telecast and Radio Broadcast by which God's late apostle carried the gospel and the Ezekiel warning message to the world.
Lessons
in Music and Song
from
Recent and Past History
Considering the fact that history repeats itself, the question comes to mind: Who did Satan use before the Flood to do what he used Elvis Presley to do in our time.
It had to be a man who was skilled in music and song and could be a major contributing factor in leading the young people at the time to become a major force toward the destruction of all mankind by the Flood!
As already noted, Satan did find such a man in the pre-flood world who had great talent and ability, just as he did in our time with the one who led all the other rock bands that followed. Both became willing instruments and contributed greatly to his destructive purpose for mankind.
Due to mankind having totally corrupted his way upon the earth and the intent of the human heart being continually on evil (Genesis 6:5), God brought upon mankind a worldwide flood that destroyed all humanity with the lone exception of Noah and his immediate family! The population of that time could have conservatively been numbered somewhere around two or three billion people!
It has been estimated by others who have run the numbers that the population could have numbered anywhere between 1 and 40 billions of people at that time.
They had come to be so evil that God knew there was no choice but to destroy them:
“Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping things and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.” But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. … Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations (pure in stock). Noah walked with God. … The earth was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. And God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth (Genesis 6:5-13).
Jubal the Original Pied Piper
The song and music man during that time was named Jubal! He was the pied piper Satan used in that pre-flood world! He was a descendant of Cain who had murdered Abel, his brother.
Jubal's name means 'joyful'; however, the kind of music he developed was only joyful to the wrong element of people, for it was anything but good music!
This man was inspired by Satan to begin the destruction of the society of the pre-flood world by his cultivation of music that brought about the kind of sound, accompanied by lyrics, that people would wildly welcome and demand -- just as with Elvis Presley in our time (Genesis 4:21; 6:1-17; 7:19-24; Luke 17:26-27).
Though Jubal was the developer of music of that time, this does not mean there had been no music before him any more than that of Elvis Presley. However, they became the fathers of that which was to follow them:
And Adah bore Jabal. … His brother’s name was Jubal. He was THE FATHER of all those who play the harp and flute (Genesis 4:20-21).
Jubal perverted music just as did Elvis Presley. He was a tool of Satan the devil and being influenced by him developed a kind of music that had a stirring beat and rhythm that excited the impulses and had a dominating influence on society.
Led and used by Satan, Jubal's music SET THE PATTERN for all music in his time, and then reappeared in our time for the same destructive purpose.
What kind of music was it? The word ‘handle’ (KJV; ‘play’ in the NKJV), in Genesis 4:21 means “to use unwarrantably” or to “profane” (see number 8610 in the Hebrew Dictionary of Strong’s Concordance.) It also means to manipulate, i. e. to seize; chiefly to capture. And that is what music does for bad or for good. It manipulates and captures!
Jubal's music was the kind that also wandered aimlessly and would leave people without morals, principle, or character.
In this context it should be pointed out that music, as we know it, did not come into vogue until after 1500 A. D., when all our modern musical instruments, which are highly complex, were invented and perfected.
Jubal, however, did bring into use the two basic kinds of instruments - those which are plucked and those which are struck in order to make the sound. It went well with his nomadic way of life - it wandered purposely and never really came to rest anywhere.
With this in mind, those of us who are older can look back at the kind of music that began developing with the Big Band era. The leading musical instruments began to wander away from the music as it was composed with the listeners having no real understanding of where the trumpet, saxophone, coronet, etc., were going.
Though it may be hard for some to believe, Jubal's kind of music did play a major role in the drowning deaths of the billions of people in that pre-flood world.
This can be understood more fully when we consider the man who did the same in this generation.
Elvis Presley the Pied Piper of the End time
Please note some of the comments from Elvis Presley’s Biography:
“What made him unique was how he broke down musical barriers. Though he's hailed as "The King of Rock and Roll," that's a bit of misnomer. Maybe he should have been called the emancipator. Elvis represented the convergence in one small-town boy, born at the right time, in the right place, in the right environment and under the right circumstances, of all the musical currents of America's subcultures: black and white gospel, country and Western, and rhythm & blues. After 1956 popular music would never be the same again.
“Or as John
Lennononce solemnly pronounced: "Before Elvis, there
was nothing." Other rock-era contemporaries looked to him as a
source of divine inspiration. … Bob Dylon once said, “He is the deity
supreme of rock ‘n’ roll religion as it exists in today’s form.”
“Even a long-haired emissary, composer-conductor Leonard Bernstein, paid his tribute to the King.”Elvis Presley was the greatest cultural force in the 20th century. He changed everything--music, language, clothes--it's a whole new social revolution."
"The question of Elvis Presley remains as alive as the man himself is dead. He remains the specter of possibility--in rock 'n' roll, pop culture, America, modern life--and he remains the fact of ruin."
Satan, the Genius of Music, Used Elvis Presley
In brief: Satan led and used Elvis Presley to develop the kind of music and lyrics, along with his simulated sexual style, to accompany it that would attract the younger generation at that time. They were ripe and waiting for him and after he came on stage they began to rapture sly idolize him.
In the years to follow there was no return to the age of relative innocence they had known before he came on the scene.
The younger generation of that time, came to have a major impact on virtually all aspects of society! They reveled in the crashing of barriers in moral values and their rebellious attitudes toward the older generation in the mid-fifties, and they carried this with them into the leadership of politics and other important areas of society.
It is important that we understand that Satan uses the same method in music as he does with doctrinal error. Both begin in a somewhat subtle manner and the bad is slowly mixed with the good! It is the kind of approach that leads people to drop their guard and open themselves up to and become receptive to the bad things that follow and then becomes a part of their lives.
For greater understanding, consider the songs of Elvis Presley and the Beatles: Not all were bad. Some of them were very nice and gentle songs that had a good impact on the listener. However, this was an open door that led to the acceptance by almost everyone over time of the bad kind of music and lyrics.
For example: think of the song by Elvis Presley: “Love Me Tender” as well as “Imagine” by John Lennon of the Beatles.” These were beautiful songs that many people still enjoy listening to from time to time.
Satan knew the young people of that era would be the generation who would fill the gaps of leadership in the years to come. He knew that some of them would lead the way to a very permissive lifestyle that would have its impact on all of society in one way or another. We have seen this in the highest office of this country and not that many years ago!
Satan Used Elvis Presley to Open the Door to Other Rock Bands
Elvis Presley did open the door to other rock bands. They came to have an even more disastrous impact on the nations of Israel than he did through their despicable lyrics and music!
Young, talented and skilled men of that society and time observed Elvis Presley leading the younger generation with his music on the radio and on television and in movies, with his suggestive hip-swinging style accompanied by lyrics and music that caught on like wildfire; they knew the door was now open to them as well!
And to equal or excel him in popularity they had to not only imitate his style, but also expanded on what he did by using explicit sexual, arrogant, and rebellious language against constituted authority. And it continues today.
The very popular Beatles from England, who followed Elvis Presley, stated they would have never been accepted except for him.
Some of their music and song was used for destructive purposes as well. On August 9, 1969, Sharon Tate and others were murdered in their home. The Beatles song, ‘helter skelter’and other songs from the White Album inspired Charles Manson and his fanatical followers to murder these people.
As the murderers were leaving, they wrote, “Pig” on the front door, allegedly inspired by the Beatles song, “piggies.”
On the following night they murdered the LaBianca family in their home. As they were leaving they wrote (misspelled) “healter skelter” on the refrigerator.
Innocent people were murdered due to the inspiration from those songs that led Charles Manson’s followers into believing their leader was Jesus Christ; one who could do no wrong!
It was Elvis Presley who opened the door; not only for them but many others as well. He was the father of the rock bands who were to follow.
From that point, the so-called music and song has rapidly degenerated into acid rock, and now rap, both of which are full of sexual innuendo as well as very explicit four-letter words that go so far as to speak of killing policemen.
Who knows what will follow?
The 1960s
The 1960s continued to change America as never before! Perhaps more than any other generation it is important to realize what the 1950s led society into in the next decade.
Real violence began to erupt in the 1960s. Though the Vietnam War was used as an outbreak for civil disobedience and demonstrations it only intensified hatred for the constituted government of this country and society.
There was great turmoil within the youth culture that has led us into the problems we see today. This was the decade that changed America! With what had taken place in the 1950s, the move continued forward in further loss of moral values and rebellion against constituted authority!
This was also the generation that led to the hippie movement who were in rebellion against their peers! No longer did they want to follow the restraints of the status quo!
There are books that reveal it was during those years that the mindless hatred of law and authority that had been smoldering under the surface on the campuses of the colleges and universities of America began surfacing in a manner that had never been seen before in this generation.
A few very vocal students at the University of California in Berkley, California took the lead role in the mid-1960s with a defiant free speech movement against the establishment that centered around the Viet Nam war; and it spread from there to other states!
Over the next few years older people witnessed this rebellion in ways that had never before been seen in this country. Their offspring began waging a war with the status quo, demanding change!
As the result, we witness in present day society a bizarre and self-destructive youth culture that tears at the heartstrings of many parents!
Though different answers can be offered for the reasons, please consider the very major factor of music and accompanying lyrics that must not be overlooked, or underestimated, for it has proved to be a very powerful influence on the youth of this country and contributed greatly to the beginning of the dramatic change that would follow.
Judge
Bork wrote in his book, Slouching
Toward Gomorrah, pages 50-51, they rejected
middle-class morality for an unprecedented permissiveness.
A life-style of, “If it feels good, do it,” “do your own thing,” “it is
forbidden to forbid.”
The name Woodstock is yet remembered by many even though the events connected with it happened almost 50 years ago. This was the place where half a million youths gathered and camped in the rain and mud TO LISTEN TO ROCK MUSIC, take drugs, and engage in the freedom of sex with any and all they chose.
This degenerate festival with its show of defiance toward the establishment was celebrated by a similar gathering on the 25th anniversary.
The 1960s was termed at the time a decade of near revolutionary upheaval! It combined domestic disruption and violence with an explosion of drug use and sexual promiscuity along with new lows of vulgarity!
From this near revolutionary period of time it becomes very easy to see where this has dramatically escalated into what we see and hear today.
It has become very easy for one to hear both men and women commonly using four-letter words without any shame, embarrassment, or apologies, regardless of who is nearby! Movies are filled with this kind of garbage!
A poll was recently conducted and it found the majority of men and women use profanity, potty language, and the four-lettered sex word, most of the time. It is termed trashy language! There is no respect for themselves or others in their midst!
God used His prophet Jeremiah to make known the sad state of affairs with men and women today:
“Were they ashamed when they had committed abominations? No! They were not at all ashamed; nor do they know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; at the time I will punish them, they shall be cast down,” says the LORD (Jeremiah 6:15; 8:12).
It is no wonder our Creator God is very angry with His chosen people, Israel!
The Deception of Drug Use
The use of drugs has nearly permeated all levels of society! It is sad to realize young and old alike will go to any length to experience the sensual effect of a hallucinogenic, euphoric drug of their choice!
At the same time they know that using them will sooner or later rob them of their income, health, and sometimes even their lives! However, they are willing to pay any price for a temporary feeling of pleasure and well-being. There is no real thought of tomorrow and what it might bring.
Drugs are very deceptive, much like bad music, wrong teachings and freedom for promiscuity, for each leads to mental and physical suffering, and eventually a tragic end!
Yet, even knowing these things, people become so addicted to the use of drugs that some resort to robbery or worse to obtain them! Some even steal from their own families to have the money to buy them.
The deception of drugs is similar to a prostitute, displaying her charms and impudent face, and enticing men to spend their money for a little time with her! With its ability to temporarily satisfy a need, drugs have taken an unrelenting hold on both young and old in virtually all nations.
They are hooked on them!
Though the use of these kinds of drugs is illegal, they are so widespread in all the nations of Israel the authorities can do very little to remove them, although the effort continues.
Dealing in drugs has become a very big business in this country and in other nations, for there is a lot of money to be made and no lack of people wanting to buy them.
Though it is illegal, and the authorities try hard to stamp it out, the number one crop in the state of California is Marijuana! The authorities cannot fully eradicate it!
Topless Waitresses
It was also in the 1960s that restaurants in the greater Los Angeles, California area began advertising their restaurants as having topless waitresses; women who would have their breasts bared while serving their customers. Needless to say, the restaurants had no lack of diners. Later, some places began to feature bottomless women.
At the same time this has led to the almost complete nudity we now see in public and on television. There are even some nude beaches set aside for such people.
The 1980s
In his book, Slouching Towards Gomorrah, Page 2, Judge Bork wrote that the spirit of the 1960s REVIVED in the 1980s, and brought us at last to Bill and Hillary Clinton. The very personification of the 1960s arrived at early middle age with its ideological baggage intact.
Summarizing the Past Decades
William Bennett has written that we have witnessed in the past 30 years a profound shift in public attitudes. Polls show that “we Americans now place less value on what we owe others as a matter of moral obligation; less value on sacrifice as a moral good, on social conformity, respectability, and observing the rules; less value on correctness and restraint in matters of physical pleasure and sexuality – and correlatively greater value on things like self-expression, individualism, self-realization and personal choice.”
Though Mr. Bennett is correct in his analysis, the shift goes back to better than 50 years, as we have already seen, rather than 30 years.
Loss of Knowledge of the Creator God
The generation of young people of the 1950s and 1960s are now parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. For the most part, they are people who have rejected what little they knew about the teachings of God from their parents - if they had any at all.
As the result, the young people of college age today, on average, know very little, if anything, about God and His teachings. Sadly most have not been taught anything about Him or His laws by their parents. With this in mind it is easy to understand why the name of God is rapidly being removed from all state and federal buildings.
To
further see our decline, swearing on the Bible in court to tell the
truth is no longer required.
The following writing makes it very clear the name of God is not wanted and recognition of Him is disappearing from public life:
SHALL
WE HIRE A MONUMENT
ENGRAVER TO GO TO
ARLINGTON NATIONAL
CEMETERY AND ADD THE MISSING
WORDS?
A MESSAGE FROM AN APPALLED OBSERVER:
“Today I went to visit the new World War II Memorial in Washington, DC. I got an unexpected history lesson. Because I'm a baby boomer, I was one of the youngest in the crowd. Most were the age of my parents, veterans of "the greatest war," with their families. It was a beautiful day, and people were smiling and happy to be there. Hundreds of us milled around the memorial, reading the inspiring words of Eisenhower and Truman that are engraved there.
“On the Pacific side of the memorial, a group of us gathered to read the words President Roosevelt used to announce the attack on Pearl Harbor:
“Yesterday, December 7, 1941-- a date which will live in infamy--the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked.”
“One elderly woman read the words aloud:
“With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph.”
“But as she read, she was suddenly turned angry. "Wait a minute," she said, "they left out the end of the quote. They left out the most important part. Roosevelt ended the message with “so help us God.”
“Her husband said, "You are probably right. We're not supposed to say things like that now."
"I know I'm right," she insisted. "I
remember the speech." The two looked dismayed, shook their
heads sadly and walked away.
“Listening to their conversation, I thought to myself, "Well, it has been over 50 years. She's probably forgotten."
“But she had not forgotten. She was right.
”I went home and pulled out the book my book club is reading --- "Flags of Our Fathers" by James Bradley. It's all about the battle at Iwo Jima.
“I haven't gotten too far in the book. It's tough to read because it's a graphic description of the WWII battles in the Pacific.
“But! right there it was on page 58. Roosevelt's speech to the nation ends in "so help us God."
“The people who edited out that part of the speech when they engraved it on the memorial could have fooled me. I was born after the war. But they couldn't fool the people who were there. Roosevelt’s words are engraved on their hearts.
“Now I ask: "WHO GAVE THEM THE RIGHT TO CHANGE THE WORDS OF HISTORY?????????"
“Send this around to your friends. People need to know before everyone forgets. People today are trying to change the history of America by leaving God out of it, but the truth is, God has been a part of this nation, since the beginning. He still wants to be...and He always will be!”
A Godless Nation
The fallout from this is what we see today – a very immoral generation. It should be realized that once people begin to degenerate the only course from there is further degeneration!
With all that had taken place during the preceding years, and witnessing the change in public acceptance and toleration of the loss of moral values, there were those who had heretofore been hiding their perverse sins and now knew the time had come when they could be accepted by society! And they were right!
We now witness a generation that has not only come out of the closet concerning their practice of homosexuality and lesbianism, but openly display it with no embarrassment whatsoever, just as was prophesied by Isaiah:
“The look on their countenance witnesses against them, and they DECLARE their sin as Sodom; they do NOT hide it. Woe to their soul! For they have brought evil upon themselves” (Isaiah 3:9).
From what has been witnessed of their massive parades in the past few years we see that others are also involving themselves in the same deviant behavior instead of the natural and lawful use of sex within marriage! Men with men and women with women (Romans 1:24-32)!
It is understandable why this generation has been termed selfish, with no thought, love or concern for his or her neighbor, nor for their thoughts and moral principles.
Mankind has now entered the point of no return in regard to lawlessness! And though we may wish and pray for a return to true values, it is not going to happen! It will only get worse.
There are many who grieve for what they now see in society.
Table of Contents
Chapter One THE
ELIJAH -TO COME!
Chapter
Two The
Three Elijahs
Chapter Three
The
Original Prophet –
Elijah
Chapter Four
The
Kings Ruling Israel
Led Them Astray
Chapter Five The
Primary Rulers And
Judicial System of the House of Joseph Have Legalized Sodomy And Murder
of the Unborn
Chapter Six A Review of the Background and the Escalation of Lawlessness
Chapter Seven Against This Background of Sin God sent to Israel the End-Time Elijah
Chapter Eight The Sacrificial Murder of Babies
Chapter Nine Legal License to Murder the Defenseless
Chapter Ten The Beginning Advances of Technology and the Work
Chapter Eleven The Mastermind of all Evil, Satan the Devil
Chapter Twelve The
First Stages of Famine