This might sound obvious to most, but — surprisingly — it doesn’t seem to be the case.  How many people think that Revelation must be mythology because of the beasts it describes?  How many believers actually insist we will see such beasts in the flesh?  Both interpretations result from not knowing the language that John was using.  We encounter the same problem today.  If I told you “I store my contacts in the cloud,” what would it mean to you?  I am using English, but does it mean I put the contacts from ignition system in a cloud in the sky?  Or my corrective contact lenses in that cloud in the sky?  Or have I put my list of personal contact information on a computer somewhere on the Internet?  It all depends on to who I am speaking and when.  This is because the language can only be understood when viewed from the vantage point of the culture being addressed, at the time it was addressed.  So, let’s start with a few basics to help us understand the language of prophecy. Continue reading “BIBLE PROPHECY: Start By Learning The Language” →

WHY STUDY PROPHECY?

When the non-believer reads prophecy, all they usually see is a bunch of fanciful, vaguely worded stories that can be interpreted to mean nearly anything.  Consequently, they dismiss prophecy as foolishness.  Sadly, many believers also dismiss prophecy.  To them, it simply isn’t important.  I even know pastors who say they are not concerned with prophecy.  Frankly, this troubles me more than non-believers who dismiss prophecy.  Nearly one third of the Bible is prophecy. If the Lord thinks prophecy is important enough that one third of His Word has been revealed in the form of prophecy, then I should think that, at the very least, believers should think it is important enough to study (let alone a pastor).  But more than this, the Scriptures actually tell us why we should study prophecy.  Here’s what I’ve found in studying this subject. Continue reading “BIBLE PROPHECY: Why Study Bible Prophecy?” →

AN INTRODUCTION

Like many believers (and even some who do not believe), I have always been fascinated by the end times prophecies in the Bible. I have always believed in the Lord, though I have not always been obedient to His Word.  Still, even after I started to obey, I had difficulty accepting the most commonly taught understanding of Biblical end times prophecies,  This would be the interpretations presented in the “Left Behind” interpretation of prophecy: where the Church is raptured, there is a seven year tribulation, during which a figure known as the Antichrist makes peace with Israel, then, after 3 1/2 years, he breaks the peace and attacks Israel leading to Christ’s return and the battle of Armageddon.  For me, the problem with this story is that it simply isn’t supported by Scripture.  There are too many holes, inconsistencies and contradictions in it to be the correct understanding of Biblical prophecy.  Consequently, like I am sure so many others have done, and for the same reasons, I dismissed this teaching of prophecy.  Needles to say, this had a negative effect on my faith — until I actually started to let the Bible speak for itself.  Once I did that, everything changed!
Continue reading “BIBLE PROPHECY: A New Look At The End Times Prophecies In The Bible” →

Scripture tells me I am to be in the world, just not of it.  In other words, I have to live in this world, but I must not allow myself to conform to the ways of this world.  Scripture also teaches me to be as wise as a serpent, but as innocent as a dove.  This means I must use wisdom to guide my actions, but I must not allow my reasoning to become so twisted that I start to believe good is evil and evil is good.  Sadly, I must confess that, for the majority of my life, I failed on both counts: I have conformed to the ways of this world, and I have allowed myself to believe in lies.  What’s more, I believed I was doing ‘right’ both times.  Thankfully, the Lord opened my eyes a few years ago, so now, though I still do not see perfectly, I do see more clearly than ever before.  I just wish I could help others to open their eyes as well.  Sadly, this election cycle has shown me just how difficult that can be — especially when you are trying to open the eyes of those who are convinced their wicked way is actually the will of God. Continue reading “Party Uber Alles!” →

This is the first in what I plan to be a series of posts intended to help us identify (and thus, avoid) the weapons of Apollyon.

Of all the weapons Apollyon uses to destroy, hypocrisy is among the most poisonous.  But why is that? Continue reading “THE WEAPONS OF APOLLYON: Destruction Through Hypocrisy” →

I became politically aware when I started my last two years of college.  I set out to earn a law degree, but I did not want to take the usual path most people were taking at the time by starting with a political science degree.  Instead, I chose to study the foundations of the law and society, so I earned a degree in both philosophy and sociology.  I suppose that’s what woke me up to the injustices in our society, but also to the need for consistent principles in trying to deal with them.  For me, the only source offering anything that even resembled rational consistency was the political right, or ‘Conservatives.’  Oh, if only I had also studied political science and history, as well.  Maybe then I might have come to the conclusions I have reached a little sooner — but I didn’t.  Instead, I fell into a trap that, at that time, I couldn’t see because I didn’t even know it existed.  It wasn’t until about seven years ago that I found the key that opened my eyes.  Now?  Now I see exactly what is going on, that I am guilty of being part of it, and that — if I want to make amends for my part in all of it — I can no longer continue playing the game. Continue reading “I Refuse To Fight On The Side Of Apollyon Any Longer!” →

When Trump and his supporters reject Cruz for urging people to vote their conscience, they also reject the words of one of our most faithful and longest-serving founders:

“Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.”

— John Quincy Adams Continue reading “Trump And His Supporters To John Quincy Adams: We Reject You!” →

My last post explained how logic dictates that those Trump supporters who booed Cruz for urging people to vote for those who will uphold the Constitution actually demonstrated they do not care about principles, the rule of law or the Constitution.  I caught a lot of hate for saying that, but I was correct.  Trump and the majority of his supporters do not care about the Constitution or the rule of law.  That means they are no different from the Democrats — none!  But — this time — before you tell me how wrong I am — understand that it is Trump saying he does not care about the Constitution!  Here’s the story: Continue reading “Trump Is Telling World Cruz Is Correct To Distrust Him, But Trump Supporters Refuse To See Anymore Than Obama’s Or Hillary’s” →

Before I address some glaring contradictions in the things Glenn Beck has been telling his audience about Mormonism and Islam, I want to stress this point once more:

I do not ‘hate’ Glenn Beck.  I still find value in the things Glenn Beck brings to the public discussion.  I just believe that someone has to offer sound rebuttal to his spiritual blindness and logical inconsistency.

So, with that said, let’s discuss Beck’s position on his religion and that of Islam. Continue reading “APPLIED LOGIC: The Tyranny In Glenn Beck’s Words” →

This is a basic principle for anyone who seeks to live a  rational and self-disciplined life.

I have written that reason dictates we should take people at their word.  However, in that blog post, I also provided a condition to this rule.  When a persons actions contradict their words, it may be cause to disregard what they say in favor of what they do.  However, as with most things, there are conditions to this rule, as well. Continue reading “PRINCIPLES FOR LIVING A RATIONAL LIFE: A Person’s Actions Outweigh Their Words” →

From my blog on Natural Law, The Road to Concord:

A fundamental principle of Natural Law is that definitions are fixed.  Once a thing is defined, it does not change.  If it does, then it is not the definition that has changed, but the thing itself, in which case, the definition is still fixed, it just no longer applies to that thing.  While this may sound confusing, it is not.  And while it may not seem important, it is imperative to everything we do.  Please allow me to explain. Continue reading “PRINCIPLES OF NATURAL LAW: Definitions Are Fixed” →

I have said that I cannot support Trump because he has to many similarities with Adolf Hitler (the 1930’s Hitler — before he started WW II).  Well, if you are a Trump supporter, you are not going to be happy with this post, either.  That is because, the longer we watch him, the more Trump has proven that my concerns are warranted (or as Trump would say, he keeps proving me right).  Have you seen this yet? Continue reading “Trump Is Proving My Assessment Of Him Correct –He’s A Hitler In The Making!” →

From my other blog, The Road to Concord:

If we are to be free and self-governing, we have to understand something: liberty is not safety!  In fact, a free people will never be a safe people.  This is because there will always be people looking to enslave those who are free.  Those who seek to rule over others are tyrants — period!  There is no “yes, but:” they are tyrants and all tyrants are enemies to liberty, and to mankind in general.  Which brings us to another hard fact we need to accept:

ANYONE — and this means ANYONE who appeals to some ‘crisis’ or ’emergency’ as a justification for taking away the rights of free individuals is a tyrant! Continue reading “PRINCIPLES OF NATURAL LAW: ANYONE Who Appeals To ‘Crisis Or Emergency’ As A Reason To Suspend Rights Is A Tyrant!” →