November 30 through December 14, 2012
Dear Brethren,
In this writing I am posting the ‘Fifth Commandment’ from The Ten Commandments Booklet that is in its final stages of being completed by me.
Your friend,
Don Billingsley
Chapter Five
5.
The Fifth Commandment
To be continued with the 6th Commandment.
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© 2012 Church of God Faithful Flock
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.”
Exodus 20:12
This commandment, along with the other nine commandments, was thundered by God Himself from Mount Sinai to the people of Israel who were cringing in fear at the foot of the mountain as they heard these words spoken directly to them.
In God’s infinite wisdom and caring love He gave this command for not only the happiness of a family, but knowing the family is the foundation upon which a nation is built, He gave it so both the family and nation might realize the blessings that will come from obeying it.
To disobey directly, or through negligence, this very important commandment regarding the family will lead to the destruction of both the family and the nation.
Tragically, we have come to see the results in today’s society for having violated this commandment. And because of it the demise of the nations of Israel is now close at hand!
This will be made very clear in this present writing.
Israel Rejects Their True God
Over the following centuries Israel lost sight of God and began worshipping other gods that are no gods breaking the first commandment (Hosea 8:14). They also rejected this commandment in favor of their own reasoning regarding the teaching of the family.
This is especially seen to be true here in the end-time.
The Beginning Breakup of the Family
In the last half of the previous century one man using his human reasoning set the beginning trend by connecting in a powerful and persuasive way with parents with his writing of a book about Baby and Child Care and paved the way in what is now seen today in broken homes and terror on the streets of cities.
No more corporal discipline lest the parent retard their mental growth and development.
This man was used by Satan the devil to appeal directly to the softer nature of mothers and the fathers went along with it.
Benjamin Spock
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Benjamin McLane Spock (May 2, 1903 – March 15, 1998) was an American pediatrician whose book Baby and Child Care, published in 1946, is one of the biggest best-sellers of all time. Its message to mothers is that "you know more than you think you do."[1]
Spock was the first pediatrician to study psychoanalysis to try to understand children's needs and family dynamics. His ideas about childcare influenced several generations of parents to be more flexible and affectionate with their children, and to treat them as individuals.
In 1946, Spock published his book The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care, which became a bestseller. Its message to mothers is that "you know more than you think you do."[1] By 1998 it had sold more than 50 million copies. It has been translated into 39 languages. Later he wrote three more books about parenting.
Spock advocated ideas about parenting that were, at the time, considered out of the mainstream. Over time, his books helped to bring about major change. Previously, experts[citation needed] had told parents that babies needed to learn to sleep on a regular schedule, and that picking them up and holding them whenever they cried would only teach them to cry more and not to sleep through the night (a notion that borrows from behaviorism). They were told[citation needed] to feed their children on a regular schedule, and that they should not pick them up, kiss them, or hug them, because that would not prepare them to be strong and independent individuals in a harsh world. Spock encouraged parents to see their children as individuals, and not to apply a one-size-fits all philosophy to them. . . .”
The following article from the internet makes known the results of his teachings, clearly apart from the teaching of the Holy Bible, while using human reasoning to teach their children.
HOW DR. SPOCK IS DESTROYING AMERICA
Internet: www.familyministries.com/dr_spock.htm
“In the last 50 years, our nation has taken a moral nose dive.
Since 1960, the rate of violent crimes has more than tripled. Every day there are news reports of heinous crimes unheard of in America a generation ago. Children murder their playmates, their teachers and their parents. Teenage mothers abandon their newborn babies in trashcans, and every year students commit carnage on their classmates. Our culture has sunk so low that children are no longer safe with their teachers in school or at church – scores of men and women are arrested every year for preying on the children under their care.
The sexual revolution that started in the 60’s continues with many casualties. Promiscuity has become so rampant that 1 of every 4 teenage girls now has a sexually transmitted infection. In the last 5 decades practices have become so deviant that the number of distinct STD’s had risen from 5 to more than 50 – a sudden increase of a thousand percent. Obsession with sexual violence has brought a 318% increase in sexual assault.
Our nation is in severe moral decline and the descent is not slowing. The church is not far behind. . . .”
Obeying Parents in the Lord
The Apostle Paul viewing the last days and the problems in society with the breakup of the homes and families, through inspiration of Jesus Christ, wrote how this could be turned around by directly writing to the children regarding the need of their obedience to their parents so that they might live long on the earth as God promised they would by obeying this commandment:
“Children, OBEY your parents in the Lord (the limitations of the obedience required by God), for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother,’ which is the first commandment of promise: that it may be well and you may live long on the earth” (Ephesians 6:1-3).
To that effect, God gave instructions in the writings of His Holy Bible, how children through obedience to their parents can have prolonged lives.
Parents have been given the responsibility by God of rearing their children to be obedient and loving while also respecting their fathers and their mothers.
The Apostle Paul follows up by writing to the head of the family, the father, who is primarily held responsible for the family by God:
“And you, fathers, do NOT provoke your children to wrath (be temperate and thoughtful with caring love), BUT bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21).
The teachings of God, if followed correctly by caring and loving parents, will result in a very happy and balanced family with the desired degree of loving affection and respect from the children for their parents.
No day care centers or baby sitters should take away the bond that belongs between parents and their children.
Nothing should replace the loving affection shown by children to their parents that comes as the result of caring love that is shown by parents who teach their children to love and respect them that is based on this commandment from God.
Sitting down together at mealtime is a major means of creating and solidifying the family with healthy and constructive conversation that brings about an atmosphere of cheerful and happy children that carries over into the school system with other children and teachers. It is contagious.
Tragically for the most part both parents work outside the home leaving little to no time for quality togetherness, and children grow apart from their parents. This has led to children learning from others who do not always have the same stabilizing values and has brought about the terrible times in which we live.
A Lawless and Rebellious Society
Based on news reports and observation, one can easily see the fallout from not obeying this commandment. Children are for the most part out of control in this lawless society and tied in with others like them without parental control and in realty have come to be criminals.
Many parents are requesting the police to protect and take care of their children who are yet in the home due to their own helplessness to keep them from harm and possibly death.
Another contributing factor is the government, on the state and local level, who has interfered with the family passing laws forbidding the use of any corporal punishment in either the home or in the schools.
As the result many children grow up without respect for parents, teachers, or law enforcement agencies.
Parents are left ham-strung as to what and how to teach them right from wrong without the often need of proper corporal punishment. Even teachers in the school system are handicapped while trying to do the best they can in trying to keep control and order in the class rooms.
The Wisest Man
There is no belief in what is found in the writings of King Solomon who was the wisest man who ever lived due to God gracing him with the wisdom and knowledge that he had. Kings and queens traveled from afar just to learn from him; and they did (I Kings 4:29-34).
King Solomon of Israel wrote: “He who spares his rod hates his children (no caring love for his future), but he who LOVES him disciplines him (temperately and without anger) promptly (Proverbs 13:24).
He further wrote:
“Chasten your son while there is hope, and do not set your heart on his destruction” (Proverbs 19:18).
What he wrote here is certainly in evidence today – destruction! Teens are not only killing one another, but many are imprisoned for life because of those murders.
“Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way (from the court system), and he who hates correction will die” (Proverbs 15:10).”
On the other hand, Solomon wrote of the submissive wise children who are willing to heed and also experience rebuke and further corrective discipline as needed in their youthful years:
“A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke (Proverbs 13:1).
Street Gang Warfare
Internet: How Street Gangs Work
“Gang violence is a problem in every major city in the United States and membership is on the rise. According to the Department of Justice's 2005 National Gang Threat Assessment, there are at least 21,500 gangs and more than 731,000 active gang members. While gangs are less prevalent in rural areas, in major cities, gang violence is responsible for roughly half of all homicides. Gangs are also becoming more savvy, using computers and other technology to commit crimes . . .
Peer pressure
“Gang members tend to be young. This is partly because gangs intentionally recruit teenagers, but it's also because young people are very susceptible to peer pressure. If they live in a gang-dominated area, or go to a school with a strong gang presence, they might find that many of their friends are joining gangs. It can be difficult for a teen to understand the harm that joining a gang can bring if he's worried about losing all of his friends. Many teenagers do resist the temptation of gang membership, but for others it is easier to follow the crowd. Peer pressure is a driving force behind gang membership in affluent areas. . . .”
Problems Begin in the Home
Due to no quality time home life with caring parents, young people are left to fend for themselves due to neither parent being there for them in whatever they undertake. The cause is too often the result of parents divorcing each other, then remarrying, or living with others without marriage.
These troubled young people too often yield to the peer pressure of gangs wanting to belong somewhere with others who seem to care for them.
Some of them end up robbing or sometimes taking part in killing other gang members. A few of these young people have been arrested and are now facing long sentences in prison for murdering other people; sometimes, some have killed their own parents.
The daily newspapers report death after death of young people from gangs fighting one another. Often older people who get in the way of these gangs shooting at one another are also killed.
The gang members do pretty much what they want without any fear of any real restraining force. They roam the streets without fear.
Some Families are struggling to keep control of their particular blocks from these daily violent murders of one another. Drugs are another major contributing factor.
Many homes have only one parent who tries to keep the family together. Because of necessity the parent is often employed leaving the children at the mercy of others who often introduce them to drugs, sex, and gangs.
Because of great concern for the safety of their children many parents are keeping their small children locked up in their homes trying to protect them from the gangs and random killings. Gun shots are often heard throughout the night in some areas of the cities.
Parents grieve because of their sons or daughters being shot or killed by these gangs.
School shootings by some teenagers have sometimes taken place. One of the worst took place in the Columbine School in Colorado.
The pictures of those who were shot and killed by these two teenagers are posted here. >
Columbine High School massacre
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Columbine High School massacre (often known simply as Columbine) occurred on Tuesday, April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School in Columbine, an unincorporated area of Jefferson County, Colorado, United States, near Denver and Littleton. Two senior students, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, embarked on a massacre, killing 12 students and 1 teacher. They also injured 21 other students directly, and three people were injured while attempting to escape. The pair then committed suicide. It is the fourth-deadliest school massacre in United States history, after the 1927 Bath School disaster, 2007 Virginia Tech massacre, and the 1966 University of Texas massacre, and the deadliest for an American high school. . . . ”
Outside of the use of metal detectors, principals of large schools state they cannot prevent children from bringing guns to schools. And sometimes these guns are used in killing teachers and children.
Sometimes a policeman for his own protection is forced to shoot a youth before he is shot himself by the youth.
Policemen Outnumbered
Due to the economic constraints confronting cities police are sometimes laid off leaving a smaller number to try and deal with the many crimes committed on a daily basis. This leaves them limited with their effort of trying to bring their cities under control from these youthful gangs with very little positive results.
Added to the problem are their frustrations by liberal judges who too often let the law breakers go free without any serious penalty imposed.
Jails and prisons are full and running over! As the result those who have committed lessor crimes are often let out to make room for others coming in to replace them. A revolving door for many; and it never stops.
The Beginning Root of the Problem
The breakup of the family and home began in its infancy during World War II. This was because of the war effort, and need for workers in the assembly plants, etc. Many wives left the home to work in the factories and assembly plants to build fighter and bomber planes, tanks, and ships.
During those years husbands and wives sometimes worked different shifts leaving children coming home from school to shift for themselves until one or the other parent would come home (called latch-key children). Hardly any quality time was left for the children. And the same is true today.
This problem has ballooned to the point where many wives and mothers continued to choose employment outside the home while sacrificing their children to undesirable fates.
Women Ruling over Men
Other women chose to enter into politics and have become very prominent in offices of government and elsewhere.
Women, mothers, and even some grandmothers are now for the most part dominating society by being in key positions in government, the judiciary, chief executive officers (CEO) in business, in media, and many other places in key roles.
This has led to the reversal of the roles of men and women. Women are now in the leadership role while men are found in their shadow without a whimper. Thus the fulfilling of a prophecy for the end-time:
“As for My people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O My people! Those who lead you cause you to err, and destroy the way of your paths” (Isaiah 3:12).
This has left men emasculated, spineless in leadership, as another prophet wrote: “. . . Surely, your people in your midst are women . . .” (Nahum 3:12).
Some mothers are even serving in the military, and some in other countries, leaving their children with a father who has to work or is also in the military.
As is often the result children become rebellious and begin deliberately doing bad things to show defiance to their parents who chose to leave them in care of others instead of being there for them.
It should be realized no one, not even a grandparent, can replace the natural parent whose child inwardly longs for that relationship denied to them. With no one to see them they will often cry themselves to sleep at night yearning for the full-time loving and caring relationship that has been denied to them.
An Uncaring Society
This is a lawless uncaring society that is already out of control and is in its death throes; tragically it is a society that is defined as one that refuses to change its wayward ways. Therefore violence reigns, strife and contention abounds and the law is powerless along with the failure of justice that has led to the wicked surrounding the righteous and perverse justice continues (Habakkuk 1:1-4).
Because of the violence and random killings many people are fearful to shop in some cities that often takes place in unexpected places, at all times, day or night.
Jesus Christ made known the terrible family problems that would exist in this end-time; and the cause for them:
“But know this that in the last days perilous times will come: for men will be lovers of themselves (no real caring love for family or anyone but themselves), lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, DISOBEDIENT TO PARENTS, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (II Timothy 3:1-3).
Earlier Generations
Prior to World War II, though society was not perfect, there was no rejection of God and His laws by most people. This can be attributed to a caring home life with both parents being there for their children. In addition there was minimal corporal discipline exercised in the home and in the school systems when needed.
I, the author of this booklet, was once paddled with a long measuring ruler by the principal of the school for fighting another small lad. Another time I talked too much in class and got one swing of a thick paddle. I learned! The paddle was sometimes referred to as “the board of education.”
Knowingly, or unknowingly, during those years there was a general belief by parents in what King Solomon was led by God to write and was practiced:
“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when his is old[er] he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).
And parents saw the positive benefits from this practice and also supported their school teachers.
Sometimes when a parent learned his child had received a paddling at school he or she would also paddle the child at home for their mischief and disrespect of the teachers.
As the result authorities were respected and few prisons. Children grew up taking their lawful place in society.
Men teachers wore suits and ties and women teachers dressed appropriately setting an example of respect and authority before the student body.
From limited personal observation teachers today wear very informal clothing.
The Radical Change in Society
The scene began changing after World War II with the baby boomers, hippies, beatniks, and others, began making their presence known in a state of rebellion against the status quo.
This was brought about due to the change in their home life and desire for change. And with it, paddling in the home and in the school system was for the most part eliminated and so was respect for their elders.
Internet: Hippies /1960s
65 By tony9573
“. . . Hippie trends and values have had major effects on culture by influencing film, literature, music and the arts. The values of diverse cultural and religious adoption, propagated by hippies have traveled wide and far as an accepted norm. Their attitudes have posed many challenges to a conformist society.
A trademark characteristic of a hippie was their attitude to relieve themselves of societal regulations, free to choose their own way and thereby find the actual meaning of life. An expression of this attitude was observed in their body language, dress code and grooming style. These parameters helped to serve as universal visual reminders of their fight for individual rights.
The 1960s was a period of intense revolutionary campaigns, starting with the anti-war movement, the black power movement, civil rights movement, sexual revolution, student rights movement etc.
In a way, many of these revolutions have set the code for current day campaigns to take on their particular course of action. Hippies shot to popularity due to their adoption of a controversial lifestyle, like communes which are essentially group living. Their advocated a simpler way of life, promoting the concept of non-consumerism and little or no personal responsibility to the society. . . .”
The Role of Music
Music also played a major role in the declining society that went hand in hand with the hippie generation. Music is a powerful mood-swinger; it can move people toward God or toward the devil!
And with what began taking place in the 1950s, and afterwards, in retrospect, it can be seen that music began moving the younger generation toward the devil!
And like the Piped Piper, Satan would through the power of wrong music use it to impact all society and began its move after him and lead them into the forest to massacre and dismember them.
The forest soon to come will be the Great Tribulation.
Elvis Presley was the forerunner of what has come to pass and set the stage paving the way for the Beetles. Then it became worse with hard rock bands following with very loud speakers in automobiles blasting out blatant sexuality, and then the rappers – “these songs reflect a generalized rage, particularly rage against social authority” Slouching Toward Gomorrah, pages 125-126, Judge Robert Bork.
Many of their songs were very explicit regarding illicit sex and with words of outright rebellion against all authority and lack of respect for anyone. And the younger generation followed them like sheep going to the slaughter with their boom boxes with no outcry from the older generation.
Prominent Leaders Voiced their Concern
President Ronald Reagan and the movie actor Charleston Heston tried to turn society and Hollywood around from its decadence, but failed.
Bozell Column: Charlton Heston, RIP
By Brent Bozell | April 15, 2008 | 15:57
. . . Admiration for the movie star Charlton Heston poured out of the obituaries and appreciations when he died. . . . Many were struck at the similarities of the late careers of Heston and Ronald Reagan, two actors who became more conservative as the 20th century moved on, and both passed away through the long and difficult descent of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Part of that trend, especially for Heston, was a dramatic devolution in popular culture. The Sixties counterculture championed peace and love on the surface, but underneath the salesmanship, it was all about undermining "The System," an oppressive social structure that included everything that men such as Heston held dear, from the military to the police; from the principle of monogamous marriage to the institution of the family; from the principle of limited government to the sanctity of the First Amendment. . .
In 1992, Heston was a central figure in the drama over the rap song "Cop Killer," from rapper Tracy "Ice-T" Marrow and his side project called Body Count. Heston almost single-handedly ended the distribution of the song by standing up at a Time Warner stockholders meeting in Beverly Hills and reading the lyrics in that sonorous voice: "I’m ‘bout to kill me something / A pig stopped me for nothin’ / Die, die, die, pig, die / F---- the police!"
Heston also stunned the audience by reading "the sexually explicit words of a rap song that alludes to [sex with] Tipper Gore’s young nieces." At the start of 1993, Time Warner cited "creative differences" and ended its seven-year business relationship with Ice-T. . . .To Heston, it was not personal; it was about the obscene, socially destructive message of the song. . . .
In a 1999 speech at Harvard, he recalled his lyric-reading at the Time Warner meeting. When he re-read the lyrics to the press corps outside, one reporter said, "We can’t print that, you know." Heston replied: "I know, but Time Warner is still selling it." Heston knew he was offending Time magazine and Warner Brothers entertainment. "But disobedience means you have to be willing to act, not just talk."
He expressed his affection for his industry, and his sorrow that it had become so decadent. He called on his peers to restore Hollywood to its greatness. You could hear a pin drop. It was an extraordinary, heartfelt appeal.
It is tragic that Chuck Heston has left the stage. His voice is needed today more than ever.”
The Promised Elijah for the End-Time
Jesus Christ foreseeing this time of the end with the complete disregard for the laws of God, led a prophet to write of one last opportunity to escape the complete demise of the House of Joseph as nations by asking for the remembrance of His Laws.
“Remember (bring back to mind) the LAW of Moses My Servant, which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel, even the statutes and judgments” (Malachi 4:4)
And to bring back the remembrance of His holy and righteous laws, God would send a special man to preach and teach those laws to all who would listen to him:
“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet BEFORE the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD” (Malachi 4:5; Matthew 17:10-11).
The man sent by God was in the spirit and power of the ancient Elijah (Luke 1:17). He would be used by Jesus Christ to seek a restoration of families by teaching them His laws. For over 50 years he did cry out for repentance and obedience to God lest He destroy all of mankind:
“And he (Elijah) will TURN the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, LEST I come and strike the earth with a curse” (Hebrew: total destruction, Malachi 4:6).
There were a sufficient number of families who did listen and turned back to God and to each other for some years. But after some years from his death in 1986 most of them returned to their former way of life.
And though the Elijah is dead, he is still crying out the message of repentance by way of his Recorded Works on our 14 websites, the primary one: www.cog-ff.com. Soon even his recorded voice will be stilled and heard no more in this age after Jesus Christ closes the door of our websites (Revelation 3:7-8).
God will then deal with mankind by permitting Satan the devil to bring upon the House of Israel, famine, disease, epidemics, and then the Great Tribulation. The nations of Israel will be conquered by the revived Roman Empire. Those not killed by all this will then go into slavery to other nations.
No Remaining Hope for Israel
This world is in a state of rebellion! It is easy to see nations and families are in a state of war against one another in different ways. There is much hostility being expressed.
Realizing the tragic condition of this country, and all of the other tribes of Israel, there is no real hope remaining for a real and lasting change for the values needed for government and family in this present age.
America and Britain have entered their death throes as a society and nations largely due for their flagrant disregard of this one commandment from a loving and caring God.
A Beautiful Peaceful New World is on the Horizon
Only Jesus Christ can, and soon will, bring about a righteous government based on His holy and righteous laws when He returns to this earth in just a few short years. He will establish His government and rule over all nations.
Families will then become very well acquainted with this Fifth Commandment and will be obedient to it and the related teachings of it.
There will be no divorces, no wrong kind of music, and no drugs.
Husbands will return to their God-given role of loving and caring leadership of the family while providing the needs of the family (I Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 5:23, 25).
Wives will then fulfill their God-given role as homemakers and will be there at all times for her husband and their children (Genesis 3:16; Titus 2:1-5; I Timothy 2:11-12; I Corinthians 14:34; Proverbs 31:10-31).
As the result of obeying the laws of God that define the role of the family they will become very happy and dwell in peace with real loving togetherness without fear of any one.
May God speed that wonderful soon-coming new age of the millennial reign of Jesus Christ when children of all ages will obey this wonderful commandment that speaks of honor, love, and family togetherness:
Exodus 20:12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.”