Do True Christians Believe They Go To Heaven Upon Death?

PIRO4D

This, of course, is a subject that we’ve covered extensively throughout these fourteen years, but it’s a subject that has recently come up ── a doctrine that is at the heart of every worldly church. 

Do you know that you would be gobsmacked at what our Lord Jesus Christ would be preaching if He were to appear on Earth in human flesh and were to go on television for the whole world to see? His message would seem strange to you. Because it was odd to the people nearly 1,992 years ago when He was here on Earth. Because it was completely different from what they were being taught in their synagogues.

As it was today, the people had their synagogues, their mosques, their churches right there in Judea when our Lord Jesus Christ was on Earth. Yet, by that time, they had perverted the religion of ancient Israel, and they had completely warped His living word – the Torah. Besides, their teachings came completely from the Old Covenant, and here He was coming with a message of a New Covenant. They literally hated Him for what He was preaching. 

Well… my friend, we here at the Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries preach and teach the very same doctrines as our Lord Jesus Christ preached ── and we too are shunned and hated for it. Our Lord Jesus had to give His life for you and me. And they murdered Him because they were scared of Him ── and they were afraid that they would lose their position and authority. They certainly didn’t like what He said, but they also didn’t like His personality; they didn’t like the fact that He hung around sinners ── with Him answering, “’ Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the [self] righteous, but sinners, to repentance.’” – Luke 5:31-32. And, they certainly didn’t believe a word He said. 

I just recently typed up a series of articles in relation to repentance and the glorious kingdom of God. And at the bottom of this article, I’ll leave you the six links to these articles. Read them and learn and grow in God’s grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But, indeed, you have to not only REPENT for salvation, but you have to BELIEVE! You’ve got to believe what our Lord Jesus says. And it’s not believe in Him ── many believed in Him at that time ── but we are to believe on Him; believe what He says. As we are aware from God’s living word, as well as secular world history, shows us that during the first century A.D., there were great uprisings, struggles, chaos, and strife, and a great many were murdered over the gospel message. Now… was it a gospel about Christ that He preached ── a gospel about Himself? And you know, my friend, this is the gospel you hear even today throughout all these worldly churches ── a gospel about Christ. How do I know this? Because, back in 2014, I was invited to attend a Sunday church in our local town. I went. And what they were teaching was a mixing bowl of this world’s politics and a message about Jesus Christ. A message of “communion,” and a “church with no sin.” I can show you my notes. You are hearing a gospel about the person of Jesus Christ, but not the gospel that Jesus Himself preached, and would preach if He were to be here speaking on Earth today as I am to you. And whatsoever is different ── well… that certainly seems strange. So strange, in fact, that ── and I’ve spoken of this story several times now - I was asked once by my sister-in-law why I didn’t believe in the “rapture.” And I began to slowly explain what God’s living word truly says and does not say concerning a “rapture” – along with the truth about death and what happens after death. She identifies herself as being a Baptist – she’s been baptized. But I proceeded to briefly explain what she needed to do to inherit eternal life. Her friend, who was with her visiting, began laughing loudly and mockingly at this gospel message. And she retorted, “We’re all saviors” ── whatever that meant. Sadly, her friend died two weeks later. Was that her last chance to hear the living truth of God in this life?

Do you ever stop and truly consider why you believe what you do? Because there are so many religions throughout the world, there are so many different denominations and sects even within what this world calls “Christianity.” But they all have one thing in common. Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, and even Zoroastrianism all have different takes on what heaven is. And, religions like this world’s Christianity and Islam believe that heaven is their destination, while religions such as Hinduism believe in the circle of life ── hence the false doctrine of reincarnation. This world’s Christianity all teaches its own gospel about Jesus Christ, and in detail, they are all different from one another. And, of course, they all believe that they have the truth ── and that everyone else is wrong. 

Yet ── and here’s the kicker, pay attention ── your Bible says that all are deceived by that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan! – Revelation 12:9. And also, your Bible says that the LORD God would send a voice “of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Make straight the way of the LORD’” – cf. Malachi 4:4-6; Matthew 3:3; John 1:23, speaking of John the Baptist. To make straight the Way of the LORD God! Preaching ‘Repent, for the kingdom from heaven is at hand!’ Preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God.

Yes. The people didn’t want to hear this message then ── and they don’t want to hear this message today. With today’s generation of “I want it now, and I want it my way!” these worldly churches preach their gospel as “If you’re good, you go to heaven when you die. If you’re bad, you’re going to hell.” And this is what we’re getting into today. 

Our Lord Jesus Christ was as clear as a cloudless bright blue sky ── in John chapter 3 and verse 13 ── “’ No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.’” So, nobody else has gone to heaven! Yet, they preach that you’re going to heaven.

Our Lord Jesus Christ DID NOT preach ‘going to heaven,’ and He did not come preaching about Himself. He did not come saying, ‘Look at Me! Just believe in Me with all your heart and you will be saved.’ He didn’t preach this ── yet, this is what is being preached around the world today. 

Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, did not preach ‘going to heaven.’ He preached, “’ The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe [and obey] in the gospel.’” – Mark 1:15. He preached repentance and the kingdom of God ── that His kingdom is coming to Earth, and that He would be King of kings and Lord of lords ruling. And He preached that His servants and His true saints that are converted ── that have properly repented, been baptized with hands laid upon them, and having received the glorious Holy Spirit ── will be born again in a glorious resurrection and will co-rule with Him on THE EARTH. 

Notice what He says in Matthew, the 19th chapter. Verses 27 & 28 ── “Then Peter answered and said to Him, ‘See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?’ So Jesus said to them, ‘Assuredly I say to you, that IN THE REGENERATION, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me also will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.’”  

So, notice the word “regeneration.” In Greek, the word is palingenesia, meaning “renewal; rebirth.” 1 It’s a rebirth – born again. When the Son of Man shall sit on the throne of His glory, you shall sit upon 12 thrones – the 12 apostles on 12 thrones, judging the 12 tribes of the house of Israel.

Where will they be judging? In heaven? On earth? Let’s look at God’s living word to see. Revelation, chapter 2, verses 26 & 27 ── “’ And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations ── 27) ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’ ── …’” So, the nations ON EARTH shall be ruled with a rod of iron (meaning, with strict discipline). “’ To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.’” – Revelation 3:21. 

Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is sitting on the throne of His Father in the upper heavenly realms. And we are told by Him that if we overcome, we’ll sit with Him on His throne (see: Daniel 7:13-14). We will then sit with our Lord Jesus on His throne when He comes.

Gabriel had told Mary in the 1st chapter of the Book of Luke, “ …’ Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31) And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS.’” – Luke 1:30, 31. Notice this about our Lord Jesus, which Gabriel said to Mary, “’ He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.’” – vs. 32. 

That throne was in Palestine ── was in Jerusalem. The throne of His father David. “’ And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.’” – vs. 33.

Now… staying here in the Book of Luke, chapter 19, we see what our Lord Jesus was actually preaching ── 

“Now as they heard these things, He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately. 12) Therefore, He said: ‘A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return. 13) So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business till I come.’” – Luke 19:11-13.

This pictures our Lord Jesus Christ returning to the upper heavenly realms, receiving a kingdom, and then returning. “’ But his citizens hated him, …’” And, this pictures the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, and Levi. They hated Him “ …’ and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We will not have this man to reign over us.’” – vs. 14. They rejected our Lord Jesus as a Ruler, and they rejected His message – a message of His government. They rejected His New Covenant, His Commandments. 

“’ And so it was that when he returned, …’” – Of course, this pictures His glorious and powerful Second Coming! “ … ‘have received the kingdom, …’” – There will be a large coronation and crowning with His saints in low-earth-orbit just before His feet stand again upon the Mount of Olives (Daniel 7:13-14; Zechariah 14:1-4). “ … ‘he then commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, …’” – And the money represents merely the glorious Holy Spirit, that He has given to see how much more each has gained. (vs. 15).

Then came the first saying, “ …’ Master, your mina has earned ten minas.’” – vs. 16. This servant had multiplied what our Lord Jesus had given him. “’ And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.’” – vs. 17. Our Lord Jesus is talking about the glorious kingdom of God! Because that is the gospel He preached. And here, this servant, who had grown spiritually and who had multiplied the Spirit that was given to him, the gifts of the Spirit ── 1 Corinthians 12:4-11.

• The Word of Wisdom
• The Word of knowledge 
• Faith
• Healings
• Working of Miracles
• Prophecy 
• Discerning of spirits
• Languages     

Then, the next one came, saying, “ …’ Master, your mina has earned five minas.’” – vs. 18. So, this servant had only gained half as much. “’ Likewise, he said to him, ‘You also be over five cities.’” – vs. 19. But, then came one that said, “ …’ Master, here is your mina, which I have kept put away in a handkerchief.’” – vs. 20. He had gained nothing. He had just kept what was given to him ── he thought “Once Saved, Always Saved.” 

And our Lord Jesus said to those who stood by, “ …’ Take the mina from him, and give it to him who has ten minas.’” – vs. 24. He didn’t even make it into the glorious kingdom of God! “’ But bring here those enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, and slay them before me.’” – vs. 27. 

So, we must grow spiritually, we must overcome. 

Turning to the 5th chapter of the Book of Revelation, we see that we’re going to reign with our Lord Jesus Christ! ──

“And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, 10) And [will make] us [a kingdom] and priests to our God And we shall reign ON THE EARTH.’” – Revelation 5:9-10.

We (God-willing) shall reign ON THE EARTH, not in heaven. This alone shows us that we are not going to the upper heavenly realms ── what God’s living word calls the “Third Heaven” – see: 2 Corinthians 12:2. Heaven is not what our Lord Jesus Christ has promised. 

Turning back into the Old Testament, to the Book of Isaiah, we see the prophecy of the coming of our Lord Jesus ── “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And THE GOVERNMENT will be upon His shoulder.” Notice, “the government.” You don’t hear too much about “the government” – you hear more about how the ‘kingdom is set up in the heart of man.’ The kingdom of God shall be upon His shoulder. “And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace,  THERE WILL BE NO END, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice, even forever. …” – Isaiah 9:6-7.

Notice also verse 14 of chapter 7. “Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”   

The name Immanuel means, “God with us.” And the name Jesus is Iēsous, meaning “Joshua, ‘Yahweh saves.’” Immanuel ── God in human flesh. And this shows Him as God as a Savior (see: John 1:14).

So, our Lord Iēsous came as a Savior to save us from our transgressions. And He also came to rule and reign in His kingdom. The two go hand-in-hand.

Now, a government has to have law. Have you ever heard of a government that had no law or a constitution? What is law? In Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, the definition is:   

1law \’lȯ \ n [ME, fr. OE lagu, of Scand origin; akin to ON lọg law; akin to OE licgan to lie ── more at LIE] (bef. 12c) 1 a (1): a binding custom or practice of a community: a rule of conduct or action prescribed or formally recognized as binding or enforced by a controlling authority. 

Our conduct ── not only with our neighbors, but also our conduct with our Lord God Almighty, our love toward God.

And what is the definition of sin according to the LORD God? “Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and SIN IS LAWLESSNESS.” – 1 John 3:4. And, what is Law according to the LORD God? Well… there was a person who came to our Lord Jesus and asked, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” And our Lord Jesus answered, “ …’ if you want to enter into life, KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS.’” And our Lord Jesus names a few of the spiritual commandments. The Law of God is spiritual. It defines our human relationships and our relationship with the LORD God.  

Our Lord Iēsous came because God the Father “’ so loved the world,’” having given His only begotten Son to a world that spat in His face, having placed a ‘crown of thorns’ upon His head, murdering Him by Roman crucifixion. He gave His life for all of us. A world that God the Father loves. It’s a love that we are not naturally born with. It’s a love that only the LORD God can gift us with. And our Lord Jesus Christ says that we must repent ── we must repent of our transgressions against the Law of God. Now… God’s Law doesn’t make rules on how to build an airplane, but it gives us the Law on how we are to conduct ourselves when building and distributing said airplane.

And we’ve been living in a wrong relationship toward the LORD God and toward our neighbors. We all have ── and all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. That is what is wrong with this present evil age. I have sinned. You have sinned. Our Lord Jesus came to pay the penalty of our sins ── if we repent of them. And, repentance means to turn around and stop sinning, to begin obeying the LORD God’s holy and righteous commandments.

God’s commandments are the foundation upon which His government resides. Notice what our Lord Jesus says in Matthew 5th chapter ── “’ Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. …’” – which means the Old Testament. “ … ‘I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away [a reference to Revelation 21:1-2], one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.’” – verses 17 & 18.  

The word “fulfill” means to obey. That’s what it means by obedience. □

1) The Strongest Concordance of the Bible, 21st century ed. 2001. ISBN 978-0-310-23343-5 (hardcover), #3824, pg. 1633. 

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Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries: What Are the Requirements For the Kingdom of God?

Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries: The Gift of God ── Eternal Life

Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries: The Kingdom of God is at hand

Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries: Tares Among the Wheat

 

Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries: Why Are We Here? ── Earth Is Unique In the Universe

Church of Jesus Christ Online Ministries: Next Phase In God’s Master Plan… From the Beginning

What Happens After DEATH? PDF online booklet

'No One Has Ascended ── To Heaven' PDF article

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Some World News In Relation to Biblical Prophecy ── August 27

U.S. President Donald Trump recently held a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at Anchorage’s Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska in relation to the war in Ukraine. (Zero Hedge – Trump Calls For “Peace Agreement” To End “Horrific War Between Russia & Ukraine”).

After nearly three hours of talks, President Donald Trump telephoned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ──

16 August 2025

The phone call between US President Donald Trump and Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky after the Alaska summit on Friday “wasn’t easy,” Axios correspondent Barak Ravid claimed on Saturday, citing a source with direct knowledge. …

Trump spoke with Zelensky for about an hour, according to Ravid. Also on the line were Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff, both of whom had earlier taken part in the talks with the Russian delegation. …

Ravid described the call as “not easy,” though he did not elaborate on this, adding only that Trump insisted that “a fast peace deal is better than a ceasefire.”

The US president later confirmed the sentiment, writing: “It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement, which often times do not hold up.”

Zelensky said that during the phone call with Trump, the two agreed that he would come on Monday to Washington to discuss in person the outcome of the summit.

(https://www.rt.com/news/623062-trump-zelensky-talks-not-easy-axios/). 

The Europeans put a statement out concerning this meeting ── 

16 August 2025 

President Trump debriefed us and President Zelenskyy following his meeting with the Russian President in Alaska on 15 August 2025. 

Leaders welcomed President Trump’s efforts to stop the killing in Ukraine, end Russia’s war of aggression, and achieve just and lasting peace. 

As President Trump said, ‘there’s no deal until there’s a deal’. As envisioned by President Trump, the next step must now be further talks, including President Zelenskyy, whom he will meet soon.

We are also ready to work with President Trump and President Zelenskyy towards a trilateral summit with European support. … 

We are clear that Ukraine must have ironclad security guarantees to effectively defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. We welcome President Trump’s statement that the US is prepared to give security guarantees. The Coalition of the Willing is ready to play an active role. … 

It will be up to Ukraine to make decisions on its territory. International borders must not be changed by force. 

(https://www.gov.uk/government/news/statement-by-president-macronprime-minister-meloni-chancellor-merz-prime-minister-starmer-presidentstubb-prime-minister-tusk-president-costa).

In Ukraine, the proxy war between the US and Russia continues … Both Russia and the European Union want the countries of Ukraine and Moldova, and both have applied to be a part of the EU! Certainly, Russia does not like this! 

God’s living word teaches that a soon-coming United States of Europe, with the voice of the papacy, will expand to the south and the east. Notice this “little horn” ──  

Daniel chapter 8, verse 9 – once again we see this ‘little horn’ that represents the papacy – this great religious leader, especially in the end-time, the resurrection of the “Holy” Roman Empire. “…a little horn which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the Glorious Land [or the Holy Land]. 10) and it grew up to the host of Heaven; and it cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the ground, and trampled them. 11) He even exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host; and by him the daily sacrifices were taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down.”   

Basically, Israel (the modern nation that is called Israel) at the present time is a secular society. But apparently, we have to presume that something will shock that nation – probably some form of attack from her Arab and Islamic neighbors – that will cause the Jewish people of Israel to go back to their roots, they will officially reinstitute animal sacrifices. And then when this human being who calls himself the ‘Vicar of Christ,’ the so-called great “holy” man that actually dares call himself “Holy Father” – a man who puts on his pants just like you and I, and sits on the toilet several times every day. And yet, he will call and say that he’s this great “holy” man! He is going to stop the sacrifices. We find out later that he sits in the “temple” and proclaims that he is God! And that is the ‘abomination that makes desolate.’

And indeed, while the above had a past fulfillment, this awesome prophecy has a future fulfillment also! The European Union has mainly expanded south and east of the Benelux nations: Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, which is where it initially was formed. The union has a total area of 1,634,469 sq miles and an estimated population of over 450 million as of 2025! Even though they are not completely united. Ukraine is mainly east of much of the EU. It is geographically, at least partly, of being a part of the EU. And Moldova and Georgia are south and east, which is also consistent. 

U.S. President also had an unprecedented meeting with a coalition of European leaders at the White House. The European leaders that was at the meeting were United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, President of the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. (See: Zero Hedge – Europe To Spend $100BN It Doesn't Have, To Buy Weapons America Doesn't Have, To Arm Soldiers Ukraine Now Lacks).

Yes. President Donald Trump wants the Europeans to pay for American weapons to go to Ukraine──and while Europe will certainly do this──as well as support much of President Donald Trump’s efforts in ending this terrible war──Europe wants to also begin growing in military strength as well. 

Germany, as well as the majority of the other European nations, has decided that it needs a larger and stronger “united” military. The editor of the German newspaper Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ) wants a forced draft so that Germany can defend Europe. (See: DW - As Germany mulls military service return, what about Europe? – 2024). 

God’s living word – the Holy Bible – teaches us that there is rising a European ‘king of the North’ that will have a ‘great army’ – see Daniel 11:25. And, he shall have ‘many ships’ – see Daniel 11:40.

Completely tearing up the Treaty of Versailles, and throwing it out the window: The German army was limited to 100,000 men, the navy to 15,000 men, and the treaty specifically forbade the development or possession of tanks, aircraft, submarines, heavy artillery, and poison gas. These limitations were intended to be permanent. Now, GERMANY and other European nations are strongly and loudly calling to increase the number of military troops to a “united” military. This is consistent with helping set the stage for the LORD God’s dual prophecies to come to fruition. 

Once a powerful European ‘beast’ power ── with blitzkrieg precision ── begins fulfilling these dual prophecies, such as Daniel 11:39-43, this world will be in awe! 

“Then I stood on the sand of the sea [the Mediterranean Sea]. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having SEVEN HEADS AND TEN HORNS, and on his horns TEN CROWNS, and on his heads A BLASPHEMOUS NAME. 

2) Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The DRAGON gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. 3) And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And ALL THE WORLD MARVELED and followed the beast. 4) So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, ‘Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?’” – Revelation 13:1-4.

Truly, as we have been reporting on ── such as the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) ── innovative and great discoveries in technologies will be a key factor in a United States of Europe achieving this. 

Nearly all European Union member states are part of Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO). A treaty-based framework for the 26 participating Member States to jointly plan, develop, and invest in collaborative capability development and to enhance the operational readiness and contribution of armed forces. 1    

The German/European initiative is for a United Europe to have a strong and powerful military force ── completely independent of the United States of America. One that will ── according to God’s living word ── come to subjugate a weakened USA (see Daniel 11:39) – the ‘strongest fortresses.’

Of course, most within the United States and abroad do not see this ever occurring ── and certainly the Roman citizens of the Roman Kingdom would have never imagined barbarians attacking Rome. In 476 A.D., the Germanic chieftain Odoacer deposed Emperor Romulus Augustulus ── yet, those of us who do properly understand the LORD God’s dual prophecies regarding this know that it will occur ── 

“Thus he [the European ‘king of the North’] shall act against the strongest fortresses with a foreign god, which he shall acknowledge, and advance its glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and divide the land for gain.” – Daniel 11:39.

In this 21st-century present evil age, the “strongest fortresses” are certainly the powerful United States of America and her British-descended allies. 

Now… there are some people out there who believe that Germany did not start WWI or WWII. However, as I’ve said before, History, when not bastardized or changed, is one of our greatest teachers. Germany’s desire to become a major world power and the urging of Austria-Hungary to invade Serbia were key factors that contributed to the outbreak of World War I. The aggressive expansionist policies of Nazi Germany and its allies were the primary cause of World War II. The belief that Europe would never start a third world war is overlooking important biblical prophecies related to a people that now dominate central Europe ── the ancient Assyrians ── 

“’ Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger And the staff in whose hand is My indignation. 6) I will send him against an ungodly nation, And against the people of My wrath I will give him charge, To seize the spoil, to take the prey, And to tread them down like the mire of the streets.

7) Yet he does not mean so, Nor does his heart think so; But it is in his heart to destroy, And cut off not a few nations.’” – Isaiah 10:5-7. 

The historian Simon Anglim writes: The Assyrians created the world's first great army and the world's first great empire. This was held together by two factors: their superior abilities in siege warfare and their reliance on sheer, unadulterated terror. 2

So, even though a Germany-led United States of Europe (or whatever they will call themselves) does not appear to mean so, nor does his heart think so ── it will be in his heart to do so. The West will fall. Many analysts argue that the West, particularly the United States and its allies, is losing its dominant position in global affairs.

In biblical prophecy, the United Kingdom is often referred to as Ephraim. And often, the United States of America is referred to as Samaria. Notice also this incredible dual prophecy ──

“The Lord sent a word against Jacob, And it has fallen on Israel. 

8) All the people will know ── Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria ── Who say in pride and arrogance of heart: 10) ‘The bricks have fallen down, But we will rebuild with hewn stones; The sycamores are cut down, But we will replace them with cedars.’  

11) Therefore the LORD shall set up The adversaries of Rezin against him, And spur his enemies on, 12) The Syrians before and the Philistines behind; And they shall devour Israel with an open mouth.” – Isaiah 9:8-12.

Picture Source: Queen’s University, Belfast

Again, God’s living word speaks of a soon-coming devastating destruction ──

“’ The whole land is brimstone, salt, and burning; it is not sown, nor does it bear, nor does any grass grow there, like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, which the LORD overthrew in His anger and His wrath.’ 

24) All nations would say, ‘Why has the LORD done so to this land? What does the heat of this great anger mean?’” – Deuteronomy 29:23-24.

“Through the wrath of the LORD of hosts The land is burned up, And the people shall be as fuel for the fire; No man shall spare his brother. 20) And he shall snatch on the right hand And be hungry; he shall devour on the left hand And not be satisfied; Every man shall eat the flesh of his own arm. 21) Manasseh shall devour Ephraim, and Ephraim Manasseh; Together they shall be against Judah.” – Isaiah 9:19-21.

The above descriptions appear to be consistent with asteroid strikes or nuclear attack. Again. Often in biblical prophecy, Manasseh refers to the USA, and Ephraim to the United Kingdom. 

A growing number of European leaders want a stronger and more powerful united military. And the political situation in the United States of America is certainly causing Europe to look seriously at creating a stronger united military power ── completely independent of the U.S.    

Also, on another matter ── that isn’t necessarily world news ── many anti-Bible so-called scholars are claiming that our beloved prophet, military leader, governor, and even judge, Moses, was mythical. Such as William G. Dever, who also claimed that “a Moses-like figure may have existed somewhere in the southern Transjordan” in the mid-to-late thirteenth century BC, and that “archeology can do nothing” to prove or confirm either way. And yes, I have read the Epic of Gilgamesh. An epic mythical story from ancient Mesopotamia. Well… archaeologists believe they may have found an inscription that mentions Moses. (See: Israel365news – New Analysis Suggests 3,800-Year-Old Egyptian Inscription Mentions Moses).

Of course, brethren, those of us who do believe beyond any shadow of doubt that God’s living word is factual ── no further proof related to our beloved Prophet Moses is needed. And just like with combs and scissors existing in the time of our Lord Jesus, many skeptics insist that there was no writing system in the time of Moses ── so therefore he couldn’t possibly have been the author of the Book of Genesis. Just a little research, you will discover ── The art of writing was well established in the time of Moses, with the earliest known writing systems emerging around 3400 to 3200 BC. The Sumerian archaic cuneiform script and Egyptian hieroglyphs are among the earliest known writing systems, with coherent texts appearing around 2600 BC. 3

God’s living word is truth, but a growing number of people refuse to believe truth. They would rather believe a lie ── 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12.

Our beloved Apostle Paul also warned us, as he was warning Timothy as well ── 

“O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge ── 21) by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith. 

Grace be with you. Amen.” – 1 Timothy 6:20-21. 

Brethren, be very careful in avoiding profane and idle babblings ── such as “the Earth is flat,” “the Devil’s Tower is an ancient tree stump,” “the Serpent’s Seed,” “the belief in reincarnation,” etc., etc. By professing such nonsense, some have strayed concerning the faith! □  

Sources:

1) https://www.pesco.europa.eu/

2) Mark, J.J., Assyrian Warfare, World History Encyclopedia, 2 May 2018. 

3) Lyons, E., Moses and the Art of Writing, Apologetics Press, March 28, 2010.    

Next Phase In God’s Master Plan… From the Beginning

The Renewing of the face of the earth (Photo: geralt, Pixabay)

Here we are, where the glorious government of God ── the kingdom of God ── was rejected from the Earth. The next phase in God’s Master Plan… From the Beginning begins: The creation of physical man.

The LORD God wants millions or billions of righteous and perfect spiritual beings, all governed by the glorious government of God, to complete the beautification, the majesty, the glory of not only the estimated 22 sextillion planets, but also the estimated 100 billion to 200 billion galaxies throughout the Milky Way ── as well as throughout the known universe! “For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.” – Romans 8:19.

So, here is the next phase of the LORD God’s grand purpose: the REPRODUCING OF THEMSELVES into trillions upon trillions of God-beings! 

“Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; …’” – Genesis 1:26.

When you look up in the night sky, at the countless 100 to 400 billion stars in the Milky Way ── the whole center of the galaxy displaying and bursting forth colors as if made by fireworks which we call stars, that dot the night sky more plentiful than individual grains of sand on all the beaches of the earth ── have you ever wondered why you are here?

Now, being aware that many of these stars are much larger than our own sun. Like Betelgeuse, the tenth brightest star in the night sky and the second brightest star found in the constellation Orion. The radius of Betelgeuse is thought to be around a thousand times greater than the sun and would reach beyond the orbit of Jupiter if it were placed at the center of our solar system. 1

Surely you have wondered about the origin of this awesome and breathtaking universe we find ourselves in. Of how it came to be ── did it just, as the likes of what the famous Stephen Hawking, who self-righteously hawked, “Because there is a law such as gravity, the universe can and will create itself from nothing”? Or was the known universe created by intelligent beings? Is there a purpose?

What about those estimated 16 “confirmed Goldilocks planets” that astronomers claim are located in their star’s habitable zone? Do they sustain life? Are there people like us on those planets? Are there sea creatures in their oceans? Do any of those planets that have so far been found sustain any life ── or are they like our Moon, devoid of life, pockmarked with asteroid strikes? And if they are uninhabited, devoid of life, and pockmarked by asteroid strikes ── why? Why would intelligent Creators create an uncountable number of planets only to have them uninhabited and void of life? Is that logical?

Astronomers and astrophysicists can ponder and hazard guesses. The truth they do not have. Two great unmanned spacecraft that were sent out into the universe on September 7th, 1977, and August 20th of the same year have now reached what scientists call the interstellar medium. And, as of August 25th, 2025, Voyager 1 has traveled 15,603,361,540 miles from Earth! 2 

We now have breathtaking photos from the planet Mars ── from rovers that are active still today, Curiosity, and Perseverance ── showing us a sandy desert littered with rocks. Dry, barren, and sterile. A wasteland that looks like the movie Mad Max. We now have stunning photos from Pluto! A beautiful small, icy world with a diverse surface featuring mountains, plains, and a reddish-brown hue. We even have a few photos from the planet Venus! A planet with an incredibly hot and inhospitable atmosphere with massive acrid clouds that reminds us of Dante’s description of his fictional fiery inferno, he called “hellfire”!

Yet, mankind persists in probing the far reaches of the known universe for any sign of organic life. My wife is telling me, “It’s too astronomical that life only exists on Earth.” Myself reminding her, “’ For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,’ says the LORD.” – Isaiah 55:8. All presently existing physical evidence indicates that this Earth is the sole planet with living matter throughout this endless universe. The only known planet to sustain life – life as we know it.

The Angels That Sinned 

So, the angels were not created with perfect righteous character ── their creation was not yet complete.

It’s hard to imagine the LORD God’s holy angels sinning. Yet this is exactly what happened. Again, archangels, seraphim, and angels were created with awesome power, with a mind to think, reason, and plan, and of decision and choice ── or else they would simply be a robot, without individuality and character, unable to have any free moral choice. And so, God’s living word teaches us that sin is the transgression of God’s Law (1 John 3:4). These angels (and apparently only the ones that were placed on Earth) rebelled against the LORD God’s Law ── which is the very basis of God’s government. 

Well… sin carries penalties. When these angels rebelled against the government of God, the beautification of the earth in its preparation for the creation of physical mankind abruptly stopped ── and instead, darkness and physical destruction to the surface of the earth occurred.

The far-reaching implications of this earth-wide cataclysm and destruction were not just confined to the planet Earth and its Moon. The penalty of sin by these angels was not eternal death ── because the LORD God created them immortal spirits unable to die. Instead, the LORD God threw Helel and his demons back down to Sheol, to the earth, “to the lowest depths of the Pit.” (Isaiah 14:15; Luke 10:18). As I’ve said before, I personally do not believe that the LORD God ever had any intention of putting the kingdom of God under the subjection of angels. GOD truly had – and has – a Master Plan from the very beginning! “For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, …” – meaning the soon-coming kingdom of God “in subjection to angels.” – Hebrews 2:5. 

Their immediate penalty was being confined to earth ── “ … ‘ Therefore I cast you as a profane thing Out of the mountain of God; And I destroyed you, O covering cherub, From the midst of the fiery stones.’” – Ezekiel 28:16. At the helm of this angelic coup was Helel (Lucifer in Latin Vulgate) ── the super archangel who had led the other angels into sin ── into complete rebellion against the government of God. He was originally created as a bringer of light and truth, but now he has become the author of darkness, confusion, chaos, evil, destruction ── and even murder.

So now, “The earth [became] without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. …” – Genesis 1:2. 

However, whatever the LORD God creates, “God saw that it was good.” (cf. Genesis 1:10, 12, 18, 21, 25, and especially 31). As I’ve been saying ── just because the multiple billions of planets throughout the Milky Way galaxy are in a state of what we would think to be waste and empty, and uninhabitable for human life, doesn’t mean that they are not “good.” And it doesn’t mean that they are “dead” planets. Some planets and moons in our solar system are active with volcanoes, like Io (Jupiter’s moon), Venus, Mars, Enceladus (Saturn’s moon), and Europa (Jupiter’s moon). Also, death and decay are indeed natural laws created by the LORD God that govern the universe. The second law of thermodynamics. Logically, just because something made out of matter decays and dies doesn’t mean that it’s not “good.”

Many improperly add to 1st Corinthians 14:33. God’s living word says that God is not the author of confusion. Nowhere does it say that God is not the author of decay. In fact, the LORD God directly states, "I bring death and I give life" - Deuteronomy 32:39, BSB. As we journey through life, we come face-to-face with the reality of decay. Understanding properly this aspect of life will help us to better understand the LORD God and their greatest and most marvelous plan and purpose in every season. God’s living word reassures us that decay and death are all part of God’s Master Plan… From the Beginning.

Now, let us notice what the LORD God did next.

The Renewing the Face of the Earth

The LORD God did not leave the Earth in a state of darkness, without form, and void ── “ … And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” – Genesis 1:2. As a result of the angelic rebellion, destruction was wreaked upon the Earth, and the earth became the condition we read in Genesis 1:2. 

In Psalm 104:30, we read, “You send forth Your Spirit, they are created; And You renew the face of the earth.”

Notice verse 3 – “Then God [Elohim] said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light.” Now, Satan the Devil is the very embodiment of darkness, sin, and emptiness. Darkness was surely caused by his rebellion and sin. The LORD God is the very personification of light, truth, love, and beauty. So, on the very first day of what is called “creation week,” the LORD God changed the Earth from darkness to light – from without form (because only water at this moment covered the earth; see Genesis 1:9) to the lifting of earth’s surface for dry land, from being void to full of life (such as grasses and herbs, trees, birds, sea creatures, land animals and creepy things).

The LORD God had now completed the renewing of the face of the Earth, preparing for the creation of man. 

Now, le plus grand accomplissement ── the greatest achievement ── Man! 

“Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; … 27) So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” – Genesis 1:26, 27. 

Why did the LORD God create man? 

What part could mankind possibly have in God’s divine purpose? King David was inspired to write, “O LORD, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth, Who have set Your glory above the heavens! … 4) What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? 5) For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor.” – Psalm 8:1, 4-5. 

King David, looking up into the night sky with all its shimmering stars, asks the LORD, our Lord, how could God take into account the son of man?

Continuing, “You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things [all that is on this earth] under his feet, 7) All sheep and oxen ── Even the beasts of the field, 8) The birds of the air, And the fish of the sea That pass through the paths of the seas. 

9) O LORD, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth!” – Psalm 8:6-9. 

King David limited mankind’s dominion over the present ── that which the LORD God placed under mankind at its creation ── the earth, its atmosphere, and its seas.

But, notice in the Book of Hebrews, we read, “For He has not put THE WORLD TO COME, of which we speak, in subjection to angels.” – Hebrews 2:5. What our Lord Jesus Christ calls, “’ the age to come’” – cf. Matthew 12:32. Then, beginning in verse 6, the Apostle Paul quotes the Psalms. Again, King David was specifically talking about the fact that the LORD God has now placed in subjection under mankind the earth, its atmosphere, and its seas. But, the Apostle Paul was inspired to show us that something infinitely greater in the age to come, and beyond, is coming for all mankind!

The LORD God’s revealed knowledge to all mankind ── the very purpose for the creation of man. 

“For in that He [the LORD God] put all in subjection under him [mankind], He [the LORD God] left nothing that is not put under him [mankind].” – Hebrews 2:8. 

Eventually ── all things. “But now we do not yet see all things put under him.”    

For those who are willing to believe the LORD our God, He says that He has decreed that the entire known universe ── with all its galaxies, planets, and suns ── will eventually be placed under the subjection of mankind. And remember, this is speaking about the “age to come” and beyond ── not this present evil age. 

What we see today ── “ … we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, …” – vs. 9.

Mankind, other than our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is not yet crowned with glory and honor. But, mankind will be in the age to come, and beyond. □ 

1) Jones T., The Star Betelgeuse, Astro Backyard, Retrieved 25 Aug. 2025.

2) Science.nasa.gov, Where are Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 Now? Mission Status, Retrieved 25 Aug. 2025.  

Part One

Why Are We Here? ── Earth Is Unique In the Universe

Earthrise, taken on December 24, 1968, by Apollo 8 astronaut William Anders

Most people do not actually know why they are alive. Why they are here on Earth. To understand ourselves, why we are here, and where we are going, we need to know about our Creator.

If you were to ask someone where the beginning of God’s word begins ── surely they would point you to Genesis 1:1 ── “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Yet, there is another place within God’s living word that is actually the real beginning. It’s the Book of John 1:1-2 ── “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2) He was in the beginning with God.” 

In the beginning, two great and awesome, all-powerful, and perfect beings existed. Each with supreme KNOWLEDGE and CREATIVE POWER. One God is called “the Word” – or the “Spokesman,” and the other is called the great “Ancient of Days” (cf. Daniel 7:9, 13). And “the Word” as God’s living word tells us is also God ── yet, a separate, altogether supreme being. Together, these great and awesome beings are complete in harmony and in agreement.

In the beginning, there existed only these two supreme and awesome beings. Now it has been postulated, guessed, and hypothesized that nothing existed before the physical universe. Renowned physicist and science communicator Brian Cox recently speculated in an interview and a public lecture there might have been something that existed before what we think of as the start of time-a huge, pre existing structure or form of energy-that is beyond what the current laws of physics account for, but that could have played a vital role in the universe's birth. 1 That “pre-existing structure” and “form of energy” was the LORD God ── the Elohim. The family of God, which at this time consists of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. According to God’s living, immutable word, there never was a time when they did not co-exist.

Notice verse 3 ── “All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.”  

So, God the Father created all things THROUGH the Word. And, as these two great and awesome beings cooperated completely in harmony with each other, the Word created all things exactly as instructed by God the Father.

What Is… God?

Do you know what God is? And by God, I mean these two great and awesome beings!

These two super-powerful SPIRIT BEINGS are both Creators. And as human beings think, plan, design ── even putting our plans down on paper before we begin building or constructing ── so these two great super-powerful beings thought, planned, and designed. And they might have planned and thought out for millions, if not billions of years (as humans have come to know time) before starting the actual creating.

In fact, according to God’s living, immutable word, physical matter within the known universe was not the first thing they created.

God’s living word tells us that “ … by Him [the Word] all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.” – Colossians 1:16. 

These are powerful words! 

These two awesome and powerful SPIRIT BEINGS, composed wholly of spirit (John 4:24), thought out, planned, and designed spiritual beings that are called archangels, seraphim, and angels. They are invisible to human eyes. These great spirit-composed beings are of three separate levels of power and ability. I covered this in “What Are Angels?” and “Angels Revealed.” Of Cherubim’s, Seraphim’s, and Angels. And that these created beings were created with great minds ── with the ability to think, reason, plan, and form conclusions as free moral agents. 

Now, as Creators, what creation is the most important creation that the LORD God could ever create? Angels? The heavens and the earth? The whole physical known universe? Or, was it mankind?

None. 

The greatest and most supreme creation is a holy, righteous, perfect character. There was a great teacher who once told us that the LORD God cannot create godly character by fiat. And this is true. The ability in a separate entity with a mind, and having free moral agency, to choose life and not death (Deuteronomy 30:19). A separate entity who, seeing the way to both good and evil, chooses, on their own, the good rather than the evil ── even against the strongest of temptations and pressures, desires and lusts. Understand ── these great archangels, these Cherubim, were not created with perfect holy and righteous character at their initial creation. Again, godly character cannot be created by fiat. Character (whether good or evil) has to be developed over time in separate entities that possess minds able to think, reason, and make independent conclusions and decisions. Character must be developed ── and there is a risk of the separate entity developing evil character rather than good.

So, it is important to know about God. The LORD God (the Elohim; the family of God) are Designers, Educators, Creators, and Rulers. The LORD God have SUPREME MINDS! They are perfect, holy, and righteous.

The Eternal God ── the Ancient of Days ── is Ruler over all that has been created. And, true and right knowledge has been revealed to mankind ── knowledge that otherwise would have been inaccessible to man and even to the angels. What the LORD God created, they maintain. 

And what they create HAS A PURPOSE.

The estimated 22 sextillion planets throughout the known universe all have a purpose! The LORD God, beginning with the Earth, is “planting the heavens” – Isaiah 51:16. 

The supreme greatness and superiority of these two great God-beings were on full display at this point. They had in mind a most glorious objective with the creation of Cherubim, Seraphim, and Angels. This awesome objective required the creation of physical matter ── the creation of the whole known universe. 

This brings us back to Genesis 1:1. The revelation of these two great and awesome God-beings! “In the beginning God [Elohim] created …” The LORD God created the entirety of the known universe, with its estimated 100 billion to 200 billion galaxies, its hundreds of billions of trillions of suns, its planets, and moons! So, after the creation of angels, the LORD God created “the heavens and the earth.”        

Creation Is Not Complete

Interestingly enough, even though these two great and awesome God-beings are perfect in holy and righteous character, they create in duality. Their creation is not complete – yet. This was true of all their angels. The angels were to develop character ── whether holy, righteous, perfect, godly character or not.

The LORD God established on Earth His government ── the kingdom of God. On Earth was placed a powerful archangel, an anointed cherub, that was named Helel, the son of the Dawn (Helel ben Shachar in Hebrew). The Vulgate renders הלל in Latin as Lucifer. This great anointed cherub was originally a bringer of light and truth. The LORD said to the “prince of Tyre” – speaking of this great archangel – “’ You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones. You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till INIQUITY was found in you.’” – Ezekiel 28:14-15. 

So, rather than building a holy, righteous, perfect godly character, this super-powerful archangel built an evil and corrupt character. Becoming “filled with violence within” and sinned against the LORD God (Ezekiel 28:16). He transgressed the Law of God – going against the very government of God. Now, the LORD God wisely created both angels and mankind with FREE MORAL AGENCY; otherwise, neither angels nor mankind could attain godly, holy, righteous, and perfect character. Cherubim, Seraphim, and Angels are all immortal ── which means they cannot die. Yet, their superior knowledge did not prevent rebellion and sin. The LORD continues,  concerning this super archangel – the one who was anointed, “’ Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor; … You have become a horror, …’” – Ezekiel 28:17, 19. This archangel led the first rebellious and violent coup. And he evidently led a third of the “stars of heaven” to revolt against the LORD God and the very government of God (2 Peter 2:4; Revelation 12:4). They completely rebelled against the LORD God. They deliberately developed within themselves evil and vile characters. They turned from the LORD God’s Way to complete lust, vanity, violence, and war. The LORD God said of Lucifer, “’ I cast you to the ground, I laid you before kings, That they might gaze at you.’” – Ezekiel 28:17.  

Thus, the government of God ── the holy kingdom of God ── was not established upon the Earth. It was rejected and “The earth [became] without form, and void; and DARKNESS was on the face of the deep. …” – Genesis 1:2. 

The creation of this group of angels was now complete! They made their ultimate decision. They had formed evil and vile characters. And, they became what are called demons. And this great and super archangel named Helel became “that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world.” – Revelation 12:9.

So, the possession of a great wealth of knowledge, wisdom, and being endowed with FREE MORAL AGENCY does not mean that a separate entity will automatically have perfect, holy, and righteous godly character. Nor does it mean that they will achieve perfect, holy, and righteous godly character. It also doesn’t prove that the remaining two-thirds of the heavenly, righteous angels will remain sacred and righteous. They could turn, also, and sin. Perhaps a clue to this is 1st Corinthians 6:3, which indicates that we, brethren ── God willing ── will participate in the final judgment of angels.

Well… I guess there could be three possible alternatives. 

• Angels were placed upon the earth, and a third of them rebelled, while the remaining two-thirds went on to develop holy, righteous, and perfect godly character.
• The LORD God placed upon the earth a third of all the angels, and they all sinned, following the evil one in his rebellion.
• The attainment of the angels to reach perfect, holy, and righteous godly character is incomplete as of now.

1st Corinthians 6:3 does sound like the third possibility – doesn’t it? 

So… here we have the state of things as the LORD God saw them, after a third of the angels sinned and rebelled against the government of God. Satan, the Devil, and his demons were cast down to the earth after ascending to the upper heavenly realms ── Helel himself having announced, “’ I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; … I will be like the Most High.’” – Isaiah 14:12-14. The earth at this time was in a state of darkness, in tohu and bohu (Genesis 1:2). The planet Earth was in a state of ruin. 

 To be continued.     

1) Team Science-Nature, Brian Cox: "Something Massive Existed Before The Beginning Of Time", Science Nature, 3 Oct. 2024. 

Good Luck Charms ── an offshoot of astrology, witchcraft and the occult

A Barnstar (jpatak48, Pixabay)

A barnstar is a painted object or image, often in the shape of a five-pointed star. They have no structural purpose but may be considered lucky, akin to a horseshoe mounted over a doorway. 

YouGov posted back in 2018 ── 

Nearly a quarter of Americans carry a lucky charm

Across a range of income levels, belief in lucky charms remains consistent …

A recent poll from YouGov Omnibus reveals that 24% of Americans say they carry a lucky charm at least occasionally. That number comprises of those who say they wear one “every day” (7%), “frequently” (4%), or “occasionally” (13%). A majority say they never carry around a lucky charm (70%). …

Wearing or carrying around a lucky charm has its appeal among all income levels. …

Those who carry lucky charms have particular mindsets and worldviews distinct from the general US population. … The data shows that those who carry around lucky charms are more likely to identify with Materialistic, Sensitive, and Adventurous Perspectives. 

(https://today.yougov.com/society/articles/21156-nearly-quarter-americans-carrylucky-charm).

So, back in 2018, that was nearly 79 million Americans! 

However, when you include Christian crosses and other religious trinkets or symbols, the number of Americans who carry “good luck charms” is even greater. Additionally, many tattoos can be considered a “good luck charm.” 

Christian crosses and or whatever is considered to be a “good luck charm” are a form of idolatry against the LORD God.

Notice what the Prophet Jeremiah wrote ── under divine inspiration ── in regards to a very early prototype of the modern Christmas tree, an Asherah Pole, which is also considered an idol in the eyes of the Eternal One ── 

“’ They decorate it with silver and gold; They fasten it with nails and hammers So that it will not topple. 5) They are upright, like a palm tree [or, a modern evergreen conifer], And they cannot speak; They must be carried, Because they cannot go by themselves. Do not be afraid of them, For they cannot do evil, Nor can they do any good.’” – Jeremiah 10:4-5. 

Now… good luck charms ── and the list is truly endless as to what can be considered a “good luck charm.” Anything from a keychain with a 4-leaf clover inside of it, to numbers, acorns, birds, a white-spotted mushroom, bamboo, chewing gum, a chimney sweep like Bert in Walt Disney’s Mary Poppins, and even ladybugs ── cannot do evil, nor can they do any good. They are, however, spiritually unhealthy.

Let us consider what our beloved Apostle John wrote. In fact, his last recorded words of his first epistle ──

“Little children, keep yourselves from IDOLS. Amen.” – 1 John 5:21.

And he warns us, brethren ── that idolaters will have no part of God’s glorious kingdom (Revelation 21:8). 

So, if you have ANYTHING in your home or on your person that is being considered as a “good luck charm” ── throw it away, now! 

Sadly, most think there is nothing wrong with a little superstition ── a small Christian cross hanging around your neck, or a rabbit’s foot in your pocket.

Notice the living word of our Creator and God ──  

“Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. 

15) But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and IDOLATERS, and whoever loves and practices a lie.” – Revelation 22:14-15. 

The LORD God emphatically commands us ──  

“’ You shall have no other gods before Me.’” And “’ You shall not make for yourself a carved image ── any likeness of ANYTHING that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth;

5) YOU SHALL NOT bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, …’” – Exodus 20:3, 4, 5.

Any idol is against the LORD God! 

Any good luck charm is a form of idolatry, and idolaters are those who will not inherit the glorious kingdom of God. Unless they repent. □