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. □    

Finding Calm ── Alternatives to Venting Anger

 

The online publication and news source featuring scientific research, discoveries, and outcomes, Science Alert, published this last year concerning anger ── 

Venting Doesn’t Reduce Anger, But Something Else Does, Study Says

Venting when angry seems sensible. Conventional wisdom suggests that expressing anger can help us quell it, like releasing steam from a pressure cooker.

But this common metaphor is misleading, according to a recent meta-analytic review. Researchers at Ohio State University analyzed 154 studies on anger, finding little evidence that venting helps. In some cases, it could increase anger.

“I think it’s really important to bust the myth that if you’re angry you should blow off steam – get it off your chest,” said senior author and communication scientist Brad Bushman when the results were published in April.

“Venting anger might sound like a good idea, but there’s not a shred of scientific evidence to support catharsis theory.” 

That doesn’t mean anger should be ignored. Reflection can help us understand why we get mad and address underlying problems. It can also aid emotional validation, an important first step towards healthily processing emotions. 

Venting, however, often goes beyond reflection into rumination. The study suggests that many people also try to exorcize anger with physical exertion, which can offer health benefits but may not lighten the mood in the moment. 

The studies reviewed included a total of 10,189 participants, representing a variety of ages, genders, cultures, and ethnicities. The findings show the key to curbing anger is reducing physiological arousal, the authors say, from anger itself or from the otherwise beneficial physical activity it might inspire. 

“To reduce anger, it is better to engage in activities that decrease arousal levels,” Bushman said. …

“I wanted to debunk the whole theory of expressing anger as a way of coping with it,” explained Kjærvik. “We wanted to show that reducing arousal, and actually the physiological aspect of it, is really important.” …

“It was really interesting to see that progressive muscle relaxation and just relaxation in general might be as effective as approaches such as mindfulness and meditation,” Kjærvik said. … 

Rather than trying to vent anger, the researchers recommend undermining it by turning down the heat. 

(https://www.sciencealert.com/venting-doesnt-reduce-anger-but-something-elsedoes-study-says, retrieved 19 August 2025).

God’s living word teaches us concerning self-control ──

“Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, For anger rests in the bosom of fools.” – Ecclesiastes 7:9. 

“Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.” – 1 Corinthians 7:5. 

Now, while our beloved Apostle Paul didn’t write this concerning anger in general, the principle is very applicable. 

King Solomon ── the wisest man of his time, in his proverbs ── 

“He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, But he who is impulsive exalts folly.” – Proverbs 14:29.

“A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. 2) The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness. … 18) A wrathful man stirs up strife, But he who is slow to anger allays contention.” – Proverbs 15:1-2, 18.

We should also not transgress the Law of God while we are angry ── 

“Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Selah.” – Psalm 4:4. And the Apostle Paul added, “do not let the sun go down on your wrath.” – Ephesians 4:26. 

I practiced this last Sunday while my wife and I were hosting her birthday gathering. There were a lot of friends and family, and it was a bit overwhelming for me. I politely excused myself as they were out on the lanai and in the pool swimming ── went into our bedroom, gave myself to prayer and meditation and stillness upon our bed for a little while. And then came back out.

There’s the old adage ── never go to bed angry. Being angry and transgressing the Law of God (1 John 3:4) can place you in the path of Satan, the Devil, to tempt you because of your lapse in self-control.

Some people allow the wrong kind of pride to take hold and are just arrogant and opinionated ──  

“An angry man stirs up strife, And a furious man abounds in transgression. 23) A man’s pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor.” – Proverbs 29:22-23.

Certainly, when we are confronted by such people, the Apostle Paul admonished us to be ── 

“casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself [including a person that places themselves on a pedestal as being something they most certainly are not!] against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity TO THE OBEDIENCE OF CHRIST.” – 2 Corinthians 10:5. 

Yes, avoidance and self-control even of our thoughts! 

The Apostle Paul also ── under divine inspiration of God’s Spirit ── 

“BEWARE, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13) but exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today,’ lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14) For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence STEADFAST to the end, 15) while it is said: ‘Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.’” – Hebrews 3:12-15. See also Hebrews 4:7. 

Speaking of Korah’s Rebellion ── Numbers 14:1-16:35. Some claim to be followers of our Lord Jesus Christ who think they can do a better job leading God’s people. Some 1,500 years later, the Apostle Jude records a strong warning about such men who come into God’s Church as false teachers, arrogating to themselves the authority of God and His living word ──

“WOE to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.” – Jude 1:11. 

Also, there are those people who allow a “root of bitterness” to take hold, and it begins to grow ──

“Pursue peace with all people [including those who would be considered enemies], and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: 15) looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled.” – Hebrews 12:14-15.

We must learn, brethren, how to get along with all people. Forgive those who have wronged us. Not getting along with a family member’s boyfriend/girlfriend may strain other familial relationships, making you look like the “bad guy.” This strain can cause additional underlying issues ── such as anger. 

Now… whether you have been one who has allowed a “root of bitterness” to grow, or one with anger issues. Might I suggest you take an anger test? Here’s one from Psychology Today ── Anger Management Test. Below is how I did. I need improvement.          

The Apostle Paul wrote ──

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13. 

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but GOD IS FAITHFUL, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13. 

Yes, take this simple and free test and see how you do. We can certainly all improve and work on not harboring angry or hateful thoughts and actions. 

Let us always remember what our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, tells us ──  

“ … ‘ love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45) that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; …’” – Matthew 5:43-45.

Brethren, we should not let every real or imagined disrespect make us angry to the point that we lose self-control.

Despite our personal flaws, we all need to be striving towards perfection ── which includes anger management. □  

GOD – the GREAT LIFE GIVER!

by Leonard V Johnson

In this article, let’s go through some of the New Testament and see why it is that a great many people believe exactly opposite of what God’s living word truly says – and they are participating and practicing customs that are the very antithesis of the things that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, did. Because He said that we should do as He did, and that we should follow His example. 

Why are there people worldwide who believe things that were never believed by our Lord Jesus ── never taught by our Lord Jesus? And, for that matter, never believed or taught by the Church of God that He founded?

So, with your Bible in front of you, let’s go through some of the Books of the New Testament on what our Lord Jesus did teach, as well as what He did not teach. He certainly didn’t teach what so many people are taught and believe throughout the world. Turn to the 5th chapter of the Book of John ── 

“’ For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, 27) and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. 28) DO NOT MARVEL at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29) and come forth …’” – John 5:26-28, 29. 

So, where will they be? Well… not up in the third heaven. They will be in their graves, their tombs, their catacombs. And, they shall “ …’ hear His voice and come forth──those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of [judgment]’” – vs 29. 

Notice: Two Resurrections mentioned. One, a resurrection unto life, and the other to judgment. Now, let’s grab our magnifying glass and look more closely at this. Our Lord Jesus DID NOT speak as if there were anyone up in the third heaven that is hearing His voice. In fact, He emphatically says, “’ No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, …’” – John 3:13.

Speaking in the third person, He Himself is the Son of Man. He has been with Father God from eternity. We read of this in the 1st chapter of the Book of John ── that He was the Logos, the Word (the Spokesman). And, the word Logos (λόγος) in Greek means the Word. It means the One who does the speaking, who delivers the word. So, our Lord Jesus speaks, and it is done. “’ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. … 3) All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. … 14) And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” – John 1, 3, 14; vs 14 KJV.

So, we see here that the Word became our Lord Jesus Christ, and the fact that He has been with Father God from eternity. 

GOD Is... the Life Giver

Now, in a sermon some years ago ── and I believe we have this in article and in audio ── we were looking into scientific proof of the existence of God. Here, let’s focus on whether God is life and has life inherent. Because, after all, where did life come from? Did it ── as so many dreamers proclaim ── arrive on Earth clinging to an asteroid from outer space? Did life originate from what the likes of Carl Sagan had argued? “That the early atmosphere of the Earth was hydrogen-rich, and that the origin of life occurred before the hydrogen was lost, and that such gases sparked, creating life. That life began in the ocean with temperatures that began to fall and the amino-acids, and the proteins and the nucleotides – and how these different chemicals and the different aspects of this old earth – which condensed out of interstellar gas and dust some 4.5 billion years ago – and how they came together to form the earliest stages of life – a kind of organic soup!?” 1

How is it that matter comes alive? And what we found is that science can prove that life cannot come from non-life. Life cannot be imparted from the absence of life. LIFE ONLY COMES FROM LIFE. And we have proved, beyond any shadow of doubt, that the LORD God (the Elohim, the family of God, which at this time consists of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ) is the ONLY SOURCE from whom all life has come. Our Lord and Savior says, “’ For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself.’” – John 5:26.

So, God is life, and has life inherent in Himself. What is “life inherent”? It literally means life that exists in someone as a permanent and inseparable element. And sadly, billions of our peoples worldwide have been deceived into believing that they have this life inherent. A life that will survive after this physical body dies, a life that will live for eternity. And I’m sorry to burst your bubble, but let me tell you point-blank. You have been trusting in people without any evidence. Kinda like the Russiagate ── but let’s not get into that. Because the LORD God’s living word says exactly the opposite. We have no life inherent in ourselves. Life comes from the LORD God. And God has not given eternal life to human beings. In fact ── and I’ve mentioned this several times ── that even if Adam had taken of the tree of life,  he was going to die anyway, no matter if they were to choose the tree of life or the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. He did not impart eternal life to Adam. There is nowhere in Scripture that speaks about man having eternal life. 

God Personally Taught Adam 

The LORD God (the Elohim) taught Adam, whom They created, in the Way that would have made them much happier. The LORD God “took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it” – Genesis 2:15. It was literally Paradise on Earth. Well… There Were These Two Trees that were in the midst of the garden. One tree, the tree of life. The other, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. And, the LORD God had commanded Adam & Eve, saying, “’ Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17) but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil YOU SHALL NOT EAT, in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.’” – Genesis 2:16 17.

So, there was eternal life available in the garden of Eden ── the tree of life. But, Adam & Eve never took of that tree, they did not gain eternal life. And, again, the LORD God did not create Adam & Eve with eternal life. And, if anyone reading, watching, or listening to this ── if you can find it within God’s living word, let me know! Show me Scripture that says that the LORD God did! But eternal life was available in the garden of Eden. 

The LORD God said, “ … ‘in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.’”    

Then, the enchanting Whisperer came along. “ … that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; …” – Revelation 12:9 and said to the woman, ‘O, here, here now. God knows better. Listen Linda, God is lying to you! You can’t believe God! The LORD God is trying to deceive you. Believe me. It is I who has divine authority. Why… just look at that tree. It’s good for food. Isn’t it pleasant to the eyes?’ And indeed, “ … when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate.” – Genesis 3:6. 

And Satan, shrieking with glee, said to the woman, ‘Ah! Excellent! Now you’ll be just like the LORD God. You will not surely die! You now have life inherent ── you are now immortal.’ – Genesis 3:4, paraphrased. 

But what did the LORD God say to her? “ …’ in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.’” – speaking of the second death. The eternal death (see: Revelation 20:14; 21:8). “ …’ The soul who sins shall die.’” – Ezekiel 18:4, 20.

Man’s FIRST Sin    

I was watching the old Hollywood Squares ── the one with the original host, Peter Marshall ── and the question of “What was the original sin?” came up. And I quickly answered. “Believing a lie!” But, the famous actor in the square answered, “Eating from the forbidden fruit.” And that’s the standard answer. But, in reality, it was when Adam & Eve believed that most diabolical of lies that spewed forth from Satan the Devil’s mouth, “’ You will not surely die.’” A lie that claims that you have an immortal soul and that you are just like God. Friends, are you continuing to believe this lie ── the Most Horrendous Lie Perpetrated Upon Mankind ── in this twenty-first century? Sadly, nearly everyone on this planet has come to believe this first lie.

Adolf Hitler wrote in his book Mein Kampf, “In the big lie there is always a certain force of credibility; because the broad masses of a nation are always more easily corrupted in the deeper strata of their emotional nature than consciously or voluntarily; and thus in the primitive simplicity of their minds they more readily fall victims to the big lie than the small lie.” His Minister of Propaganda, Joseph Goebbels, simplified this by saying, “If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it.”

And look what happened. Adam & Eve believed Satan the Devil, thinking that they could be like God ── knowing (or rather, determining for themselves) good and evil. For that is what they desired. That is what they lusted after. That one tree that belongs to God, and to God alone. The knowledge of good and evil. They reached out and stole what the LORD God had commanded them not to touch. Now… they had another god ── an angel of light ── and they obey him! 

The Apostle Paul – under divine inspiration – tells us, “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?” – Romans 6:16.  

They obeyed Satan. They disobeyed the LORD God. They dishonored their Father ── indeed, they were the children of God. In Apostle Luke’s version of the genealogy of our Lord Jesus, you’ll see that it ends with “the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.” – Luke 3:38. And so, Adam was a direct creation of God. Adam was the son of God. He was not born ── and he did not have a belly button. He was created.

Also ── and I won’t go deep into here in this article ── but, in chapter 3 of the Book of Genesis, the LORD God announced, “’ Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil.’ … 23) therefore the LORD God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken.” – Genesis 3:22, 23. 

The LORD God drove man out of the garden of Eden because they had sinned against Them. And, again, “ … sin is lawlessness.” – 1 John 3:4.

They broke the Law of God. They broke the TEN COMMANDMENTS. And, “ … He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the Way to the tree of life.” – vs. 24.

Lest… and focus on this… lest they go back into the garden of Eden, take of the tree of life, and gain eternal life upon their death. And how had they decided that they would live for all eternity? The same as Lucifer ── now known as Satan the Devil. An eternal life in rebellion against the LORD God! 

Adam Never Gained Eternal Life      

As I’ve been mentioning, had they chosen the tree of life, they would still have lived out their days and died; and indeed we find this did happen, “So all the days that Adam lived were 930 years; and he died” – Genesis 5:5 – but would have, after losing consciousness, “in the twinkling of an eye,” been resurrected unto eternal life! The LORD God never granted Adam eternal life. But rather, drove out the man from the garden of Eden lest he go back and eat of the tree of life, and gain eternal life. Why was man now forbidden to eat of the tree of life? Because man had chosen rebellion against the LORD God, of disobeying the Law of God. And, the LORD God had no desire for another being, IN DISOBEDIENCE, having eternal life ── as what had occurred with Lucifer. And, this is the way we’ve been living in this mortal life – in disobedience to the LORD God! You have been living in accordance with and in the customs of men. According to the way of this civilization, this society ── which was originally built upon the kingdom of Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar – see. Genesis 10:8-12. All build upon pagan reasoning, contrary to the holy and righteous Law of God. Just the way that Adam began living – under the spiritual influence of Satan the Devil.

So, man had chosen the way of life that was only going to bring ── in the end ── sorrows, sufferings, and unhappiness. As our Lord Jesus has said, “’ There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out.’” – Luke 13:28. What kind of God would They (cf. Genesis 1:26) have been if They had let Adam & Eve live ── in that state of rebellion ── for all eternity? It would have been a tragic outcome! Adam & Eve would have lived forever in sin and rebellion against the LORD God, without the possibility of salvation through the death of our Lord Jesus Christ.

So, returning to this, our Lord Jesus said, “’ For as the Father has life-giving power in Himself, so has the Son, by the Father’s gift.” – John 5:26, NEB.

Yes. Life came from some place ── and it has come from the LORD God! God created matter. Matter is defined as a material substance that constitutes the observable universe. God has life inherent in Himself. God is the great LIFE GIVER.

So, the Word, who became our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, “emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men” – He divested Himself. And, contrary to the false doctrine of kenosis, which claims, and I quote: “In coming to earth, the Son of God did not cease to be God.” 2 Because, if that was true, He could have resurrected Himself. But He did not. It was God the Father who raised our Lord Jesus – cf. Acts 2:24. Our Lord Himself said, “’ I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. …’” – Revelation 1:18. Well… God cannot die, yet He did. Because He had divested Himself of His glory and power and came down to this earth as a human being to die for the sins of all mankind. He plainly said that He could of Himself do NOTHING. (John 5:30).

So, once again, by the glorious gift of Father God, our Lord Jesus Christ was resurrected unto life ── life inherent. 

“And this is the TESTIMONY: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12) He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God DOES NOT HAVE LIFE.” – 1 John 5:11-12.

So, here it is IN BLACK AND WHITE! If you have not the Son of God, you have no life ── no eternal life ── abiding in you! 

Again ── not only are you being taught that our Lord Jesus Christ didn’t really die, because “the Son of God did not cease to be God” ── but you’re also being taught the very first lie that Satan the Devil spewed forth from his mouth! “’ You will not surely die.’” And mankind has believed it ever since. But the LORD God has never taught you that! □   

1) Sagan, C., Cosmos, Random House, New York, 1980, pp. 30.

2) Theologians Galore, What is the kenosis? What does it mean that Jesus emptied Himself? Got Questions, Retrieved 25 July 2025.  

Why Do We Suffer?

1tamara2 (pixabay)

 

by Leonard V Johnson

This question is surely asked the world over. Around the world, there are untold devastations ── and throughout mankind’s history, there have been great devastations. One such cataclysm is the destruction of the city of Neapolis on July 21 in 365 AD, a natural disaster that also damaged Alexandria in Egypt and Greece’s island of Crete. A massive tsunami was caused by an earthquake. The city of Neapolis was of high significance in the ancient Roman world. The city prospered in the olden days as it was the chief hub where salt fish and garum were manufactured. It was regarded as a highly influential commercial port. It facilitated trade in the city and helped it to gain riches and wealth. 1 Very little has been recorded about the city because the citizens of Neapolis sided with Carthage rather than Rome during the Third Punic War in 149–146 BC, which ultimately destroyed the rival civilization and brought its territory under Roman control. 2 The Apostle Paul had stopped in Neapolis at least three separate times during his journeys. Once, in 51 AD, on his way to Philippi – Acts 16:11-12. 

Does the LORD God lack the power to prevent our suffering? And, what about the vile evil throughout the world? The untold violence, the genocide, the suffering of humanity has been happening since the beginning with Adam and Eve.

Is it because ── as modern social anthropologists and those of folklore say, “that man just simply progressed from a belief in magic as a means of controlling his environment to a religious belief, which propitiated their gods and spirits”? 3 In other words, like the majority of the native Hawaiians, they believe that the eruptions of Kilauea are from the volcano deity Pelehonuamea.

“Because,” as they reason amongst themselves, “if God is love and all goodness, He wouldn’t let humanity suffer, would He?” Surely, even from the very beginning, the LORD God’s (the Elohim, the family of God – which at this time consists of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ) credibility was at stake ── and continues to be in this world of “enlightenment.” This modern present evil age has become weary of religious ministers that are witnessing unto the Lord Jesus and who explain why it is that the LORD God allows suffering ── the LORD God, who is love and who is all good, and who is all powerful, and who could indeed stop it. And yet, doesn’t.

In the early 1900s, mankind was coming up with new terminology ── especially in the southern part of the United States, called fundamentalism. I came face to face with this fundamentalist belief when a friend of mine was teaching that upon the crucifixion and death of our Lord Jesus, He went down into hell and preached to the spirits – cf. 1 Peter 3:19. Maybe not even realizing himself that he was unknowingly teaching that Jesus did not die. Questioning His divinity. One of the key elements of our faith ── “For IF we believe that Jesus died, and rose again, …” – 1 Thessalonians 4:14. Indicating that there were those (as there are today) who believe that he did not die. Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself saying ‘I indeed did!’ – cf. Revelation 1:18. In other words, they are denying any deity to our Lord Jesus Christ. As many of them claim, “He was not divine, He had not existed before His human birth. He was only human.” 

Alfred North Whitehead, English mathematician and philosopher, who argued that “reality consists of processes rather than material objects, and that processes are best defined by their relations with other processes, thus rejecting the theory that reality is fundamentally constructed by bits of matter that exist independently of one another.” 4 Truly, if that went over your head ── you’re not alone. Historically, Whitehead's work has been most influential in the field of American progressive theology. Process Theology typically stresses God’s relational nature. Rather than seeing God as impassive or emotionless, process theologians view God as “the fellow sufferer who understands,” and as the being who is supremely affected by temporal events. 5 The LORD God, they say, is entirely loving. And they will admit that there is a way, you know, that does seem right to a man. Yet, the LORD God says to us, “ … But its end is the way of death.” – Proverbs 14:12. Sadly, people use human reasoning. This Process Theology has been formulated in a wide variety of ways. Charles Robert Mesle, for example, the author of Process Theology: A Basic Introduction. In this book, he outlines three attributes of a process theology. There is a relational character to the divine, such as: 

• God experiences both the joy and suffering of humanity. 
• God is not omnipotent in the classical sense.
• God exercises relational power and not unilateral control. 6 

So, again, this Process Theology is being interpreted in a wide variety of ways. 

They paint the LORD God as all-loving, but “not unilateral in control.” And, when you look around the world, we see many religious organizations saying, “God loves you!” They want you to know that God loves you, yet He lacks any real power. Note: they ‘have a form of godliness but deny its power’ – cf. 2 Timothy 3:1-5. And, of course, they really say nothing about an afterlife. They say nothing of the true purpose of life. They say nothing concerning the kingdom of God, the gospel that our Lord Jesus Christ brought and preached.

But, under a microscope ── let’s examine this question. Why do we suffer?

What is the real reason why the LORD God has not stopped our violence and human sufferings? I would like to repeat what a great man would often say time and time again: Not one religion, including this so-called Christianity, knows who and what God is. Is He a Trinity? Is God one being – or three? Not only do they not understand, but they also don’t understand the LORD God’s purpose. Does God have a purpose?

Thinking about these questions – asking these questions – excites me and places me back among my first love (Revelation 2:4)! Like what Sir Winston Churchill came to understand, is God working out a purpose here below?   

Not one religion knows what and why man is. Even the famous Got Questions does not rightly know! “The short answer to the question ‘why did God create us?’ is ‘for His pleasure.’” And they list all their doctorates and degrees for our comfort. Why is there humanity? What is the purpose, if any? And, you would certainly think that Got Questions would surely know ── having such a gaggle of theologians. Notice what the LORD God says in Isaiah chapter 40.

Beginning in verse 17 – “’ All nations before Him are as nothing, And they are counted by Him less than nothing and worthless. 18) To whom then will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare to Him? 

Verse 22) It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, …’” 

And I’ve heard Minister Guy LaMar mention several people who confront him about their fact that the Earth is flat! Well… here are the LORD God’s own words! The Earth is a sphere.

“’ It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. … 25) To whom then will you liken Me, Or to whom shall I be equal?’ says the Holy One. 26) Lift up your eyes on high, And see who has created these things, Who brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name, By the greatness of His might And the strength of His power; Not one is missing.”

God speaking of His might, His greatness, His power. So, surely, referring to the sufficiency of the physical forces with which He has endowed the universe, to prevent any disorder in their motions. You know, the Moon has a Metonic cycle. The METONIC CYCLE is the Moon’s 19-year cycle where the Moon returns to exactly the same place (at the same longitude and against the same constellation) in the sky with the same phase. Our planet’s climate is remarkably stable and has remained in a narrow, liveable range for almost 4 billion years. And it’s the awesome power of God that is causing this! Yes, His great power!

One question that comes to us as a child is ── Where did God come from? And, I’ve studied evolution, such as reading On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin. His proposition that all species of life have descended from a common ancestor is now generally accepted and considered a fundamental scientific concept. And it was that teaching that got me in trouble in Junior High as I raised my hand in Biology class and objected strenuously. I having known the living words of the Eternal One ──

“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. 3) ALL THINGS were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4) IN HIM was life and the life was the light of men.” – John 1:1-4. 

Breaking this passage down ── In the beginning was one great being called “the Word” – or Spokesman. And the Word was with another great being, God. And the Word was also God. Right here – two separate beings! It’s like my last name, Johnson. I’m a Johnson, but my father was also a Johnson. In essence, God is likened to a surname. A hereditary name common to all members of a family. Notice that in the Book of Ephesians, we see the exact same thing ── 

“ … from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ.” – Ephesians 3:9.

Another passage says that “He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.” – Psalm 33:9.

The power that emanated from the Word created all things, instructed by God the Father – the power of the Holy Spirit leaped forth and created all things.

Truly, coming to understand that God is a family is very significant! It begins to open and explain the LORD God’s ultimate Plan for all mankind. And this great knowledge comes to us from the opening of the Holy Bible ──     

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” – Genesis 1:1. 

And, verse 26, we see, again, two separate beings. “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; …’”

In verses 24 & 25, and on down in verse 26 ── the likes of Charles Darwin and those of his ilk, completely ignored God’s living word. Because we see that God the Father and the Word created man after the God kind, not after the animal kind.

So, God is reproducing Himself!

And when we rightly understand that, we begin to understand why the LORD God is allowing all the untold sufferings around the world – today. 

Again, a great man - a man of God - would always teach us that the LORD God cannot create godly character by fiat. And, rightly so. Godly character must be built and developed over time. So, the LORD God created us out of physical matter. And it is matter that we are made of ── not snips and snails and puppy dogs’ tails, no sugar and spice and everything nice! It’s MATTER. 

We read back in the Book of Isaiah again, this time chapter 64 ── 

“But now, O LORD, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; …”

And we are the children of God, if we’ve been converted and are true Christians. “And all we are the work of Your hand.” – vs. 8. We are but the clay, and the LORD God is the Potter. And, I’ve spoken of this before: On television, when I was sixteen years old, a Claymation film entitled The Adventures of Mark Twain. In the film was a very creepy scene in which a mysterious stranger (representing Satan the Devil, in place of the Lord GOD) lets the children make some people out of clay for a little village. The mysterious stranger gives these clay figures “life,” and they begin to fight amongst themselves. The mysterious stranger reaches down as these little clay people are fighting amongst themselves and squashes them with his hand. 

Indeed, the LORD God will ── if we place ourselves within God’s hands, if we surrender to God ── take hold of us and mold and shape us in Godly character of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. God is love, and God will place His love in us ── a love that we were not born with. It’s called agape in Greek. We were not born with this kind of love, but it is a gift of God through His Spirit. 

Now, what about those in this world who reason amongst themselves that this is God’s world? Our Lord Jesus Christ emphatically stated, ’ My kingdom is not of this world.’ The LORD God is allowing mankind to make our own mistakes, our own decisions. The LORD God said, ‘Whatever you sow, that you shall reap.’ It’s all throughout God’s living word. The LORD God told Adam, and He told ancient Israel ── saying, if you sin, you will reap the consequences. The LORD God allows human suffering and pain for His good purpose. There is a reason why the LORD God allows these things. And just like with the angels, He has given man a mind to think, to reason. He has blessed mankind with unimaginable knowledge ── the type of knowledge and mind that can create AI. And, a mind that can take knowledge to learn God’s Way, so that he can develop Godly character. So that a man or a woman can become a God. So that a man or a woman can become part of the very family of God – a literal born child of God.

Sadly ── and in conclusion, I do want to just say ── we are told in Jeremiah chapter 50, the LORD God’s lamenting the fact that the shepherds, the ministers, have led His people astray and have deceived them ── 

Verse 6 – “’ My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have led them astray; They have turned them away on the mountains. …’”

And this is exactly what has happened! This world has been deceived, and its ministers don’t seem to rightly understand why the LORD God is allowing the untold sufferings. The LORD God is allowing it to properly teach us lessons. □    

1) Dimri, B., Neapolis: Secrets of the Lost City of the Romans, Historic Mysteries, 12 Jan 2023. 

2) Archaeology World Team, A Lost Roman City Has Been Found 1,700 Years After a Tsunami Sank It, 23 Nov 2020 

3) Frazer, George James, Sir, The Illustrated Golden Bough: A Study In Magic and Religion, © 1996, pp. 6.

4) Wikipedia contributors. "Alfred North Whitehead." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 10 Jun. 2025. Web. 19 Jul. 2025. 

5) ibid.

6) Wikipedia contributors. "C. Robert Mesle." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, 28 Mar. 2024. Web. 19 Jul. 2025.