Category: Christians

Christians Participating in Protests and Riots

The world today is mostly following a world order of countries governed by democratically elected representatives to run their own country. This system might seem fair humanly speaking as everyone has a say in how the country is run. Under such romanticised order of governance, utopic aspiration within a country however did not really materialise.

Crimes and corruptions are still prevalent and economic upheaval causing disruption and distress to the lives of citizen living in democratically governed countries are still the norm. What can be observed are only comparative wellbeing of one nation vis-à-vis other nations for social, academic and economic studies and discussion in order to improve future performance of a nation.

In fact, some countries that are not organised under democratic principles, their citizens are not necessarily worse off. Democracy is not the solution to bring human civilisation to a golden age in this fallen world. If it is, why won’t the most powerful democratic country in this world bulldoze this principle to all undemocratic countries where some of these countries are even her allies. Democracy is often used to justify regime change of a country at a huge cost to human lives and tragic destruction to the targeted country.

Democracy won’t bring such utopian fantasy to fruition. Greed and corruption won’t vanish into thin air within such society. Oppression and corruption in high places will continue. Citizen’s lives will continue to face pressure and challenges that are often man-made in nature dabbling with social engineering introducing unrealistic social economic policies by the elite on the governed.

Hence, under democratically governed countries, it is quite common to see protests and riots taking place where citizens take to the streets to challenge the democratically elected government of the day. The results of such antics are seldom pretty. Damaged properties can be repaired and replaced but lost of lives during such chaos and troubles are irreversible.

Unfortunately, Christians are also caught up in such swirl of disturbance and rebellion. When they are unhappy with the state of affairs of the nation and feel their rights have been trampled upon, they might even feel compel to join in the crowd and participate in such rebellious frenzy. They have a vested interest in their adopted country of residence so participating in protests and sometimes leading to riots seem justifiable, so some believe.

In fact, there are recorded events of protests and riots in the Holy Bible. In the book of Acts, there are two major incidents that are instructional for Christians to take note. The first protest took place in the city of Ephesus.

This incident arose due to loss of income suffered by workmen labouring in the idol related industry. When the gospel of Christ was successful in that city, the business of the idol producing segment of the economy was affected and retrenchment of workmen involved became a pain and those affected took to the streets to demand justice.

Acts 19:23-29
And the same time there arose no small stir about that way. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth. And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.

The participants of this protest were pagans and their target were Christians. They were there to air their grievances and expected their demands be met.

Another major incident took place in Jerusalem. This time, the Jews were protesting and rioting. Their target was the apostle Paul. Paul had been preaching all over in the Gentile world converting souls to Christ and eating away into the religious dominance of the Jews overseas. They were unhappy with Paul and were in the process of killing him during this incident until the Romans came and rescued him. Once again, the target of this protest was again a Christian. Continue reading Christians Participating in Protests and Riots

The Development of Religion According to the Bible

In the New Testament, the word “religion” is recorded in five verses. Curiously, the word “religion” is not found in the Old Testament. This does not however imply the absence of religion since the beginning of time.

Before the fall of Adam, both Adam and Eve knew God intimately. Religion in an institutionalized form as a system of beliefs to compel them to approach and worship God wasn’t necessary. Even after the fall of Adam, none of them were compelled strictly as a matter of form in their approach to God.

The incident of Cain is a case in point. When he approached God in his own way, God simply dismissed and ignored his offering. God didn’t rebuke him. God just didn’t accept his sacrifice and that was all. There wasn’t any penalty for approaching God in a way that was unacceptable to the Creator God.

This wasn’t the case after Moses showed up to deliver an institutionalized format of worship. The moment Aaron’s sons tried to be funny and offered strange fire, they were executed immediately on the spot.

Leviticus 10:1: And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not.

Leviticus 10:2: And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.

Numbers 26:61: And Nadab and Abihu died, when they offered strange fire before the LORD.

Hence, religion is a serious business and not to be taken lightly. Until Moses showed up, religion before the Global Flood was still free and easy. It was up to men to approach God in an acceptable way with animal sacrifice given to Adam after his fall to cover his nakedness. Unfortunately as the human race progressed, they got further and further away from God.

Notwithstanding, there were still men seeking after the God of Creation, in particular, Noah found grace in God’s sight and were spared together with his family from the destruction of the entire world.

Genesis 4:25: And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.

Genesis 4:26: And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.

After the flood, the way to approach God didn’t really change much. Noah continued with the same worship with animal sacrifice and was accepted by God.

Genesis 8:20: And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.

Everyone from Noah’s family knew God and knew the way to approach God. There wasn’t any need to regurgitate an acceptable format in this regard.

After the flood however, additional laws were given. Capital punishment came into effect for murder while before the flood, even after Cain killed Abel, he wasn’t put to death immediately but allowed to die like every other man on earth. So killing and lawlessness became rampant before the flood with no penalty and deterrence to compel men to exercise self-restraint. Continue reading The Development of Religion According to the Bible

Minutes To Midnight

While Christians go to sleep preferring to indulge in their latest toys and gadgets instead of watching for the Day of the Lord, the world watches the end of the world in trepidation. The Doomsday Clock is now set two minutes to midnight. This is the closest setting to midnight since 1953.

Doomsday Clock – Two Minutes to Midnight

Why the world connects midnight with doomsday? This is not without biblical implications. Bad things do happen at midnight. The first recorded incident was when the Lord slaughtered all the firstborn in Egypt before Pharaoh finally let the children of Israel leave Egypt.

Exodus 11:4: And Moses said, Thus saith the LORD, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt:

Exodus 11:5: And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts.

Exodus 11:6: And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there was none like it, nor shall be like it any more.

Exodus 12:29: And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.

Exodus 12:30: And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead.

Not a single Egyptian family was spared from mourning and burying a loved ones that night. Cruel as it may seem, the Lord sends judgment according to how fallen men respond to His dealings. The obstinacy of Pharaoh sealed their doom, including his own firstborn and eventually himself drown in the Red Sea. Continue reading Minutes To Midnight

Corruption in High Places

Corruption exists everywhere from the most insignificant peasant trying to eke out a living to big industry players trying to buy favour to win lucrative contracts. But when corruption occurs in high places, in particular in the realm of religions, it damns the whole society and nation of people. The sinister nature of such corruption cannot be understated as the tentacles of their seductive and evil influence to collude with the powers that be will doom the people to unspeakable bondage and misery. The Holy Bible is littered with details of corruptive practices of religious professionals and the God of the Bible condemns their evil ways in no uncertain terms.

Matthew 21:23: And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?

The Lord Jesus Christ attracted a large following and did many miracles during His earthly ministry. His fame also united His enemies to challenge Him on every front seeking occasions to destroy Him. One such incidents occurred at the temple in Jerusalem where the Lord was teaching His followers.

While the Lord had been ministering all over the country, this time the war was brought to the turf of the religious authorities of the day. Thus, the Lord was confronted and challenged with regards to His authority for doing His work at the temple in Jerusalem. After all, the Lord was just a humble carpenter and wasn’t schooled under the tutelage of the esteemed religious professionals of the day.

Hence, this challenge to His credentials and certifications was necessary to demolish the good works done by the Lord. However, the crowds of followers needed no such qualifications from the Lord who taught them, led them, fed them, performed miracles to solve their earthly problems with healings and casting out devils where the religious authorities had no answer for such great work under the sun. They envied the Lord for commanding such respect and adulation and the war was now happening at the very seat of their power.

So this contest for supremacy at the temple was reaching a crescendo. In fact this wasn’t the first confrontation at the temple. A day before, the Lord caused a sensational incident at the temple when He overturned tables and chased the merchants out of the temple. The temple authorities dared not react to that incident.

Matthew 21:12: And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,

Matthew 21:13: And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

Matthew 21:14: And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.

Matthew 21:15: And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased,

Matthew 21:16: And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?

Matthew 21:17: And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.

Why didn’t the religious officials challenge those merchants doing business at the temple? Who gave them the authority to conduct business at the temple? Since when Moses instituted business venture as part of worship at the temple? Did those in authority get a cut of the profit from those merchants? Rental income could be pretty attractive with such high human traffic. If there were no corruption and collusion between the authorities and those business people, the Lord wouldn’t have accused them for turning the temple into a den of thieves. The custodians of the temple were corrupt! Continue reading Corruption in High Places

Consulting Familiar Spirits

Fallen man has great curiosity concerning the future. If only we could know what would happen in the future, we could take preventive measures to mitigate pitfalls ahead and avoid tragedy. We know hindsight is perfect so we pay premium for certainty.

Everyone wishes to avoid trouble and desires prosperity, wealth and health. Hence, fortune telling is a big business. This explains why horoscopes and geomancy are so popular because man fears the unknown. If only someone could tell you about the future, you could live your life with peace of mind expecting all is well in every aspect in life. This is quite close to buying insurance to insure your future is paved with health and wealth and a life of ease.

There are some people who market themselves with such special gifts and talent to help insecure souls find their ways around in this life. So such people who claim to have access to the spirit world are much sought after especially by those who are facing troubles in life.

These people with special talent could reveal information to poor seekers that could be very real and convincing because they possess so much intimate details about the seekers through spirits of another world. As such, these seekers are taken in swallowing hook, line and sinker concerning everything these people also known as mediums have to tell them. This is a very dangerous path to take in surrendering one’s critical thinking to such mediums and of course eventually, the pied piper must be paid.

In the Old Testament, these people with special gifts and talent are those with familiar spirits. Consulting familiar spirit is expressly forbidden under the Old Testament.

Leviticus 19:31: Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.

This commandment is given for a reason. Those who have familiar spirits are definitely some people with insights ordinary people do not possess. These people are possessed with familiar spirits that would know about the seeker, his circumstances, his family and friends and many other details in his life. He would prove to be so convincing to the seeker that the seeker will listen and obey what this person with familiar spirit would tell him to perform.

This would ultimately lead the person away from the Lord. Violation of this commandment attracts serious consequence.

Leviticus 20:6: And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people.

Death penalty awaits those with familiar spirits under the Jewish penal code. The state has a duty to carry out such execution on behalf of Jehovah God.

Leviticus 20:27: A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them.

Deuteronomy 18:9: When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.

Deuteronomy 18:10: There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,

Deuteronomy 18:11: Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.

Deuteronomy 18:12: For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.

So these people with special talent did get executed in Israel even under the reign of king Saul. Ironically, in his moment of desperation, king Saul went to consult one such person with a familiar spirit.

1 Samuel 28:3: Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land.

1 Samuel 28:7: Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor.

1 Samuel 28:8: And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me him up, whom I shall name unto thee.

1 Samuel 28:9: And the woman said unto him, Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done, how he hath cut off those that have familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land: wherefore then layest thou a snare for my life, to cause me to die?

King Saul was about to face the Philistines in battle and he was truly desperate. Usually, the king could get confirmation from Jehovah God what step to take before a battle but the Lord was ignoring him. Prophet Samuel who anointed him to be the first king of Israel had died. He had no one else to turn to for direction and assurance of victory against the Philistines.

Not knowing the future was a serious trouble for this commander in chief. Under the leadership of Jehovah God, the children of Israel had never lost a battle. The soldiers could go into battlefields with full confidence assured of victory because the God of Israel would fight for them.

Now king Saul was without divine illumination and assistance. His future was definitely bleak. Lacking military intelligence was a serious matter. So desperate times called for desperate measures. But he resorted to violating the commandments of the Lord in seeking a person with a familiar spirit to reveal to him the future and what he had to do before the battle with the Philistines.

1 Samuel 28:10: And Saul sware to her by the LORD, saying, As the LORD liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing.

1 Samuel 28:11: Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel.

1 Samuel 28:12: And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul.

1 Samuel 28:13: And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth.

1 Samuel 28:14: And he said unto her, What form is he of? And she said, An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a mantle. And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself.

1 Samuel 28:15: And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do.

1 Samuel 28:16: Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy?

1 Samuel 28:17: And the LORD hath done to him, as he spake by me: for the LORD hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbour, even to David:

1 Samuel 28:18: Because thou obeyedst not the voice of the LORD, nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the LORD done this thing unto thee this day.

1 Samuel 28:19: Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the LORD also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.

1 Samuel 28:20: Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night.

Here was a case of necromancy.

This woman with a familiar spirit was taken in for a ride. Her standard operating procedures for this out of the world transaction was beyond her expectation. It was one of those business dealings she was familiar with but this time, it was her business partner, the familiar spirit failed to turn up for work.

So this woman with a familiar spirit was shocked. She realized king Saul had lied to her. Her usual trade was interrupted by divine intervention. The familiar spirit she was so familiar with went into vacation mode. She was treading on new territory and her familiar spirit became unfamiliar this moment. The Lord supernaturally allowed Samuel to be disturbed from his rest to return to this world and spoke with king Saul. Samuel’s condemnation of king Saul was quick and swift.

How does it work for those with a familiar spirit? Such a person would be a willing vessel for a familiar spirit to indwell him or her from time to time. When a seeker sought his expertise to communicate with someone from the dead, the familiar spirit would go to work. The familiar spirit could convince and reveal to the seeker he was the dead person the seeker was looking for. This familiar spirit is actually an imposter.

How would the familiar spirit know so much about the seeker? The Scriptures called such spirits familiar spirits for a reason. In fact these spirits are so familiar with the seeker that intimate details of the seeker that even the seeker’s parents or spouse would not know could be revealed to gain the seeker’s trust. These spirits are not human that came into this world with an expiry date. They have been around since the beginning of time.

Once the seeker believes the revelation from the familiar spirit, he would be drawn away from the Lord God of Israel. Hence, consulting with familiar spirits are forbidden in the Bible. It has been unequivocally condemned and punishments meted out to those who violate this law of God. So king Saul was executed for this transgression against Jehovah God.

1 Chronicles 10:13: So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it;

1 Chronicles 10:14: And enquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.

It is not possible for the living to communicate with the dead. Those with familiar spirits could however, act as imposters to lie to anyone seeking such special service. The case of king Saul managed to communicate with Samuel who had died was a case of divine intervention that even the woman with a familiar spirit was shocked. She would not be so terrified had it been a normal event with her usual business dealings with seekers that came to her for her service.

More importantly, it is the scriptures that confirmed Samuel speaking to king Saul. This was not the work of the familiar spirit. This was a one time incident to condemn the practice of necromancy.

Throughout the history of the children of Israel, one of the pet peeves Jehovah God had with them was concerning their rebellion in turning to false spirits and worshipped false gods. The children of Israel sought to communicate with another world via other agents rather than going to the God of Israel.

2 Kings 21:6: And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.

2 Chronicles 33:6: And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.

Isaiah 8:19: And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?

Isaiah 19:3: And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst thereof; and I will destroy the counsel thereof: and they shall seek to the idols, and to the charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards.

Isaiah 29:4: And thou shalt be brought down, and shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the dust, and thy voice shall be, as of one that hath a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper out of the dust.

Nevertheless, under the reign of righteous kings, they did execute judgment on such wicked people and one such king was king Josiah.

2 Kings 23:24: Moreover the workers with familiar spirits, and the wizards, and the images, and the idols, and all the abominations that were spied in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, did Josiah put away, that he might perform the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of the LORD.

Any fallen man would be impressed and convinced if you as a total stranger could reveal to him his personal secrets and circumstances no one else knew. Nathanael believing the Lord Jesus Christ who told him He saw him under a fig tree before meeting him is a case in point.

John 1:46: And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.

John 1:47: Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!

John 1:48: Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.

John 1:49: Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.

John 1:50: Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.

Can you imagine how convincing familiar spirits would be who know so much about you, your friends and family and your circumstances and tell you things that would astound you? Won’t you listen to him and obey him what he would tell you to do?

Decades ago, I know of this church going person who went to Bible College. He spent four years and graduated and then returned to his home country. However, he left church shortly after and as far as I know, no church members could locate him. I went to his home but his family told me there was no such person. After a while, he opened the windows and saw me and then let me into his house.

We talked and he told me stuff that were ridiculous. He was disillusioned and unhappy with his Bible College experience. I knew he wasn’t having a good time with poor health and unable to cope with class and financially in trouble as well. But what troubled me was his revelation that he went to consult a medium after returning home.

The medium could tell him so much details about his past experiences and pointed out incidents where people wanted to harm him and even mentioned that one such person tried to poison him during a barbeque dinner. All these I believe are his vain imaginations and the medium simply confirmed them for him. Familiar spirits are very familiar with the person they are dealing with and it is not funny at all.

So he got what he wanted to believe and he listened to the medium who recommended he changed his name. No wonder church members could not locate him and especially with the help of family members confirming there was no such person residing there at his last known address.

Hence, I asked him about doctrines concerning salvation. He no longer believed salvation is by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Works would be necessary and other religions help too. So simply be a good person and perhaps you could make it. This was very sad revelation for a person who graduated with a Bible degree from a Bible College.

As such, I put to him this question: Did Jesus Christ come in the flesh?

He looked on the floor and refused to answer.

I pressed him a few more times for an answer and he finally told me no.

So that was it. It was no longer necessary to continue our conversation. And that was the last time I last met him more than two decades ago. The Bible tells us to try the spirits and that was what I did.

1 John 4:1: Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

1 John 4:2: Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

1 John 4:3: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

Since this person had another spirit, in particular, the spirit of antichrist, there was no point in debating him to bring him to his sense. In fact, in the beginning, some church members were already in doubt whether he was a suitable candidate for Bible College. His academic performance was pretty bad as far as we know and his salvation experience was not very impressive to begin with as he actually had trouble verbalizing and communicating well in English.

In addition, there was a strange spirit about him who was usually quiet and in fact strange. One time while he was in Bible College, he wrote a letter to a local preacher to beware of this foreign missionary calling the missionary a red hair monkey, a derogatory term in the Hokkien dialect close to the Chinese calling Caucasians foreign devils. Of course the gist of the letter was to warn the local preacher not to trust foreigners who were here on the mission field with ulterior motives.

The local preacher betrayed him and passed the letter to this missionary. This missionary met him back in Bible College with a hug and all was forgiven. Could a saved Christian behave that way, especially one who was pursuing a Bible education intending to be a preacher? Ignoring such red flags was not wise.

It is sad that missionaries sometimes take profession of faith for granted simply because the new “Christian” attends church and is active in activities. How much do they know about such new converts? Is the gospel message in English clearly understood by these English second language people? It is nice to write glowing reports from the mission fields regarding sinners converting to Christ and Christians surrendering to serve the Lord. But this may not always be the case with facts on the ground.

So we have this convert who went through Bible College and eventually rejected the Lord Jesus Christ and the pure gospel of Christ. What made it more frightening and tragic was he went to consult a medium just like king Saul went to a woman with a familiar spirit. This spiritual warfare is not an academic exercise. It is very real and many casualties have littered this earth for centuries.

In the Old Testament, believers are told not to consult a person with a familiar spirit. The consequence for the children of Israel who violated this commandment is death. In the New Testament, Christians are warned about seducing spirits. However, no powers are given to the Church to mete out judgment like those given to the State of Israel on such people. New Testament Christians are just warned to take heed about such Satanic activities and avoid them.

1 Timothy 4:1: Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

So some will indeed depart from the faith giving heed to seducing spirits. They will be sucked into doctrines of devils. As Christians, we are to discern between the spirit of truth and spirit of error.

1 John 4:6: We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

If Christians are careless, they could become victims to seducing spirits. Christians cannot afford to be ignorant because there is a spirit working in the children of disobedience. We are living in perilous times and in a dangerous world.

Ephesians 2:2: Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

The Holy Bible has already revealed our glorious future. We need not seek to know the future by other means from the spirit world. The Holy Spirit who indwells us will lead us into all truths and not error.

John 16:13: Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

1 John 2:20: But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

1 John 2:26: These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.

1 John 2:27: But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

So listen to no other voice other than the voice of the Good Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ.

John 10:27: My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

Are you one of the Lord’s sheep?


Hacksaw Ridge – Thou Shalt Not Kill

The recent movie “Hacksaw Ridge” is concerning a conscientious objector who refused to bear arms based on the commandment “Thou shalt not kill” from the Bible. He was allowed to train as a medic and was involved in saving many lives during one of the battles in Okinawa and subsequently became the first conscientious objector to ever win the Congressional Medal of Honor. This movie however, has brought into focus the question whether Christians who serve in the military should likewise observe this commandment not to kill and refuse to bear arms.

This commandment is one of the ten commandments given to the children of Israel by Moses.

Exodus 20:13: Thou shalt not kill.

Does this mean this commandment is applicable only to the children of Israel? Or should this commandment be extended only to Christians because this is in the Bible? If that be the case, non Christians are allowed to kill with impunity? Does this make sense?

The truth of the matter is, this commandment is a universal commandment applicable to all man on earth. Before even this commandment was given by Moses, centuries ago immediately after the flood, God has made known to Noah and his surviving family members the penalty of taking man’s life.

Genesis 9:6: Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.

So this is the first clear cut law on capital punishment for taking another man’s life. It is not just meant for the Jews or the Church. Although no commandment was issued to forbid killing back then, the implication was obvious and the punishment explicitly established. What Moses did was to issue a preventive measure before anyone reached the stage where capital punishment was required to be meted out to those who kill.

The decree according to Genesis 9:6 is understandable where violence plagued the world before the flood and the entire human race had to be wiped out except Noah and his family members. So Exodus 20:13 is a continual affirmation of God’s plan for man to stay away from violence and taking of man’s life.

Just because Moses gave this commandment to the children of Israel, some might have the funny idea to romanticize this commandment and turn Christians into conscientious objectors refusing to kill when there is justifiable cause to do so. What about taking away the life of a murderer so dictated by Genesis 9:6 long before Moses showed up on earth to give this commandment not to kill? Is a Christian just before God for refusing to obey Genesis 9:6 by simply grabbing Exodus 20:13 and put himself on a pedestal to claim the title as a conscientious objector?

The same man Moses who gave this commandment not to kill also commanded the children of Israel to exterminate their enemies that God wanted to be removed from the land.

Deuteronomy 7:1: When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou;

Deuteronomy 7:2: And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them:

Deuteronomy 7:3: Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son.

Doesn’t Moses contradict what he told the children of Israel much earlier not to kill and then sent them to slaughter everyone be they male or female, young or old? Those who hope to hide behind the notion of being a conscientious objector certainly look very silly indeed.

In fact when the children of Israel worshipped the golden calf while Moses was up on the mountain receiving the commandments from Jehovah God, Moses turned into a murderous rage when he saw what happened and ordered the slaughtering of three thousand sinning Israelites that day.

Exodus 32:25: And when Moses saw that the people were naked; (for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies:)

Exodus 32:26: Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD’s side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.

Exodus 32:27: And he said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbour.

Exodus 32:28: And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.

So much killing in just one day for the commandment “Thou shalt not kill” notwithstanding.

The history of the nation of Israel was nothing short of bloody killing during times of war. When Gideon told his youthful son to kill the captured enemies, he was afraid to do so. Gideon personally killed those kings without blinking an eye. Did Gideon violate the law of Moses?

Judges 8:20: And he said unto Jether his firstborn, Up, and slay them. But the youth drew not his sword: for he feared, because he was yet a youth.

Judges 8:21: Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, Rise thou, and fall upon us: for as the man is, so is his strength. And Gideon arose, and slew Zebah and Zalmunna, and took away the ornaments that were on their camels’ necks.

Samuel came along and commanded king Saul to slaughter the Amalekites, young and old, male and female including their animals, but the mission was only half completed. King Saul spared the animals and the king of Amalek.

1 Samuel 15:1: Samuel also said unto Saul, The LORD sent me to anoint thee to be king over his people, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the LORD.

1 Samuel 15:2: Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt.

1 Samuel 15:3: Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.

As such, Samuel personally hacked the king of Amalek to death. Did Samuel violate the law of Moses?

1 Samuel 15:32: Then said Samuel, Bring ye hither to me Agag the king of the Amalekites. And Agag came unto him delicately. And Agag said, Surely the bitterness of death is past.

1 Samuel 15:33: And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the LORD in Gilgal.

So the commandment “Thou shalt not kill” does not mean God intends for everyone to die naturally of old age as some would want you to believe. This commandment is simply to prevent anyone having to be executed for violating Genesis 9:6 that requires the execution of the murderer. Cold blooded murder must be punished for those who failed to keep Exodus 20:13 “Thou shalt not kill”.

Numbers 35:16: And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.

Numbers 35:17: And if he smite him with throwing a stone, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.

Numbers 35:18: Or if he smite him with an hand weapon of wood, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.

Numbers 35:19: The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him.

Numbers 35:21: Or in enmity smite him with his hand, that he die: he that smote him shall surely be put to death; for he is a murderer: the revenger of blood shall slay the murderer, when he meeteth him.

Numbers 35:30: Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die.

Numbers 35:31: Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death.

There will be justifiable cause to kill which is obvious living in this sin cursed fallen world. One such cause would be during times of war. Shedding blood in times of peace is forbidden. David before he died commanded his son Solomon to deal with Joab who murdered Abner and Amasa in times of peace.

1 Kings 2:5: Moreover thou knowest also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two captains of the hosts of Israel, unto Abner the son of Ner, and unto Amasa the son of Jether, whom he slew, and shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war upon his girdle that was about his loins, and in his shoes that were on his feet.

1 Kings 2:9: Now therefore hold him not guiltless: for thou art a wise man, and knowest what thou oughtest to do unto him; but his hoar head bring thou down to the grave with blood.

So should Christians refuse to bear arms especially those who are conscripted to serve in the military by the law of the land? Can such Christians claim Exodus 20:13 to be an excuse from combat service? What does the New Testament have to say about this matter? Are Christians expressly forbidden to bear arms, especially commanded by the Lord Jesus Christ? The answer is yes and no.

When the Lord Jesus Christ first sent His disciples out to preach the gospel of the kingdom, they were sent only to the children of Israel and were not allowed to carry necessities including weapons.

Matthew 10:5: These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:

Matthew 10:6: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Matthew 10:7: And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Matthew 10:8: Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

Matthew 10:9: Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,

Matthew 10:10: Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.

Much later before the Lord was about to be betrayed and went to the cross, the operational requirements for His disciples changed.

Luke 22:35: And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.

Luke 22:36: Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.

Luke 22:37: For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.

Luke 22:38: And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.

This time, the disciples were required to be full battle order ready, including weapons at hand. The previous standing order to head out to mission empty handed was replaced.

The carrying of sword wasn’t meant to embarrass Peter when he tried to use the sword to defend the Lord during Judas Iscariot’s betrayal who was leading the mob to arrest the Lord. The Lord’s commandment was for any disciples who may have to bear arms for self defence when necessary.

Furthermore initially when John the Baptist showed up to baptize converts, soldiers also came to enquire what they must do in order to be a qualified candidate for baptism.

Luke 3:14: And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.

John the Baptist did not tell them to get out of the military. He told them not to abuse their power simply because they were armed and had the power to do violence. Soldiers are trained to fight wars and in times of battles, they have to kill or be killed. To impose a no arms bearing requirement on soldiers who are believers in the Lord is to send them to their death during times of war.

When the the Lord Jesus Christ came along to further reaffirm the commandments of Moses, the same commandment “Thou shalt not kill” was retained and clearly understood to be meant for potential murderers to take heed.

Matthew 19:18: He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

The apostle John went one step further than Moses when he issued this hard truth for Christians.

1 John 3:15: Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

This pronouncement dealt with the very heart of the matter. This warning is one step before Exodus 20:13, the preventive act of murder itself after which capital punishment takes its course to remove the murderer from the earth. So this Christian warning is even stricter than the commandment given by Moses. It starts with the heart. Hatred for his brother is considered murder even before the act of murder has taken place.

So the commandment “Thou shalt not kill” according to Exodus 20:13 does not even enter into the equation for Christians because the moment a child of God hates his brother, he is already crossing the line into the realm of murder, spiritually speaking.

Claiming to be a conscientious objector and avoiding military duties when required is inexcusable. Whether a Christian likes it or not, he is in a constant state of warfare and he is called to be a soldier to fight spiritual battles.

2 Timothy 2:3: Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

2 Timothy 2:4: No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

Those serving with the apostle Paul were fellow soldiers and soldiering is not an obscene occupation.

Philippians 2:25: Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.

The primary duty of a Christian is to fight spiritual war because we are in a constant state of tension with wars against the flesh, the world and the devil.

2 Corinthians 10:3: For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

2 Corinthians 10:4: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

1 Timothy 1:18: This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;

Christian soldiers are given weapons to engage in this constant spiritual battle and no one will be exempted. Refusing to bear arms and wrestle with the enemies are folly to the uttermost because one cannot imagine the conflict is fictitious and wishes the troubles away.

Ephesians 6:11: Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Ephesians 6:12: For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Ephesians 6:13: Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Ephesians 6:14: Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

Ephesians 6:15: And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Ephesians 6:16: Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

Ephesians 6:17: And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Ephesians 6:13: Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

The commandment “Thou shalt not kill” is not an excuse for a Christian to shirk duties when required to bear arms. Living in this fallen world, there might be times where the warfare could be translated from spiritual state to a literal physical war. A Christian cannot hide himself behind the fanciful notion as a conscientious objector not to take up arms to protect his loved ones from getting killed and raped during times of evil and expects others to risk their lives to protect him and his families.

In the context of today’s heightened state of tension with regards to terrorism worldwide, it is silly that observing the commandment “Thou shalt not kill” will keep one safe. Terrorists do not subscribe to such a law. These criminals are out to exact maximum casualty and damage in population centres to get a message out to the world in order to champion a political cause.

A Christian law enforcement officer is required to take down such criminals when necessary to prevent any or further loss of innocent lives. Refusing to eliminate that treat and allows criminals to harm and kill innocent people is tantamount to becoming accessory to crimes with these criminals and be found guilty of murder should the innocents needed to be protected get killed. This gross negligent of duty is unpardonable, especially naively using the Bible to aid criminals in taking away innocent lives. Such folly indeed causes the name of the Lord to be blasphemed where non believers look down on such believers using the Bible to cover up their own cowardice.

The funny thing is some Christians are so averse to warfare where the Bible is so full of examples to exhort Christians to be a good soldier of the Lord firstly to fight spiritual battles. The believers in the Old Testament had no qualms in obeying the Lord to put an end to lives when commanded to do so. The New Testament Christians seem to think that putting an end to life is a dirty job meant for non believers. They conveniently forget there are soldiers in the New Testament where they were not required to give up their occupation just because they became believers in the Lord. Cornelius is a good Roman solder who believed the Lord. He was never required to quit his post. It would be so silly to insist he surrendered his arms back to the Roman empire once he got converted to Christianity.

Moses commandment “Thou shalt not kill” is not only meant for the Jews, or the Church, but universally applicable to the world. It is a crime prevention measure not a panacea to obtaining eternal life.

The western world led by left wing bleeding heart liberals who object to capital punishment is causing chaos in societies where those who violated the commandment not to kill are spared from death penalty. Hence, as the scripture concludes, the land descends into lawlessness, just like in the days of Noah before the flood.

Ecclesiastes 8:11: Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.

Thou shalt not kill is not just a commandment but a warning after which the consequence of capital punishment follows.

Numbers 35:31: Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death.

It is not meant to support misguided conscientious objectors in their attempt shirk duties or bask in vain glory for their own self righteousness.

Like it or not, one day all believers in Christ would fight a war with such a scale that will be earth-shattering. This will happen when the Lord returns with His saints to take possession of the earth to set up His Kingdom. Mass killing is assured.

Revelation 19:11: And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

Revelation 19:12: His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

Revelation 19:13: And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

Revelation 19:14: And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

Revelation 19:15: And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

Revelation 19:16: And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Revelation 19:17: And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;

Revelation 19:18: That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.

Revelation 19:19: And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.

Revelation 19:20: And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

Revelation 19:21: And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

If you are not part of the armies in heaven participating in this battle with the Lord, you are none of His. You may very well turn out to be cannon fodders on earth to be exterminated with the rest of the rebels when the Lord brings in His Kingdom with His saints.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Amen!


Christian Lawyers Fighting Against Death Penalty

It is fashionable to become anti-death penalty advocates in these days where you will attract a following for joining this righteous cause and of course become respectable in this modern world to be associated with such activist movement. However, should Christian lawyers join this bandwagon?

Fighting such cause is usually the hobbyhorse of left wing bleeding heart liberals seeking to challenge the established norms of society since time immemorial. Many western countries have since abolished death penalties and victims of murders and other serious crimes do not get justice due to them where criminals are allowed to live when they actually deserved death for their crimes.

Some Christian activists go into emotional spasm claiming sanctity of life and dignity of death to champion the cause of criminals and their rights but conveniently forget about the rights of victims of crimes committed against them and their family. They have this half-baked romanticized notion quoting scriptures out of context to justify their noble cause.

They claim Jesus forgave the thief on the cross so we should likewise forgive criminals. What they failed to realize is that the repentant thief did not escape capital punishment but he received salvation where Jesus told him this:

Luke 23:43: And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

It is tragically pathetic that highly educated Christian lawyers lack spiritual insight. They can’t distinguish the difference between God forgiving sins of a sinner and the State executing punishment on a criminal where the sinner has to face the consequence of his crime.

The gospel of Christ is not designed to save a sinner from physical death but to grant him forgiveness of sin that comes with the free gift of eternal life.

You might probably have heard these lawyers quote the gospel where Christ came to save sinners so criminals deserve a second chance. Again they fail to understand Christ came to save sinners from their sins and not to justify their crimes and to avoid punishment mete out by the State.

They would also quote the Lord’s teaching on the sermon on the mount as though they have solid biblical justification for their righteous cause to give murderers second chance for sanctity and dignity of life which is precious according to their opinion.

Matthew 5:38: Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
Matthew 5:39: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

There you have it. So the Lord Jesus Christ came to abolish retribution?

Why stop at verses 38 and 39? Why not quote the next three verses?

Matthew 5:40: And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.
Matthew 5:41: And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
Matthew 5:42: Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

So you death deserving murderers, please don’t just ask these left wing Christian lawyers to spare your lives, ask them for their wealth too. Better still murder their loved ones and ask them to champion your cause to avoid the death penalty.

These foolish activists keep insisting that life is precious and should not be taken away but what about the life of the victims? Aren’t they precious too? They claim that if we take the life of a murderer, we are no better than the murderer. This is humanism in all its glory!

You just can’t believe their ridiculous logic to justify the life of murderers but do nothing to the victims and their family. In fact, since they adopt such cavalier attitude towards murder victims and their family, it would be a great idea for murderers to test their resolve by raping and murdering the loved ones of these foolish activists and see whether they continue to sing the same tune and dance to the gallery.

When the Lord preached the sermon in preparation for the coming Kingdom of heaven, those commandments were meant for individuals to adhere and not the State to comply. These left wing Christian lawyers hell bent on riding the hobbyhorse to champion anti-death penalty know not the scriptures and whereof they affirm. They think they know better than the Creator of the universe on how to govern men on earth with their misplaced compassion.

Let’s take a quick survey on the evolution of the justice system on earth since the fall of Adam in the Garden of Eden.

The first murder took place where Adam’s eldest son Cain murdered his brother Abel. Instead of taking away the life of the murderer immediately, God spared his life and even protected him from human retribution.

Genesis 4:10: And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground.
Genesis 4:11: And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother’s blood from thy hand;
Genesis 4:12: When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.
Genesis 4:13: And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear.
Genesis 4:14: Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me.
Genesis 4:15: And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.

So Cain the murderer lived on till he expired many years later. Unfortunately, without the deterrent of death penalty, life on earth didn’t get better. When you think men governed by their own conscience should know how to get along with each other when there was no death penalty, it got worse.

Genesis 4:23: And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt.
Genesis 4:24: If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.

Lamech the murderer justified his crime and claimed the long laid down principle of the justice system without death penalty and so he abused it. So criminals didn’t need any left wing liberals to champion their cause during those days. It was by default they could get away with murder. It was a great era for criminals where murderers got away with murder scot-free and lived on on earth. Of course God’s justice system prevails with horizon that stretched far beyond this present sun. The sinners that sinned will die whether now or in the future and there is more to physical death thereafter.

So without death penalty during that Age, violence took over the whole world and God had no choice but to destroy the world and perform an ultimate reset to the world justice system.

Genesis 6:12: And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.
Genesis 6:13: And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.

So the Age where human conscience that was supposed to guide human affairs failed miserably. Without death penalty to restraint the raging madness of fallen men, that world came to a tragic end.

After the global flood, eight survivors from the previous world were given the commission to repopulate the world. The justice system from the previous world has to evolve because human conscience failed to govern men on earth.

Genesis 9:6: Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.

Capital punishment was then introduced to keep fallen men in check and prevent the recurring raging madness of violence that plagued the world before the flood. This is a universal law found in all known nations in the world where murderers are put to death for their crimes.

This law was further codified in the penal code for the nation of Israel when they received the Ten Commandments.

Exodus 20:13: Thou shalt not kill.

Numbers 35:31: Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death.

It is the responsibility of the State to execute criminals to maintain social order in society. Capital punishment serves as a deterrent as well as a retribution to potential criminals which prevents society from descending into lawlessness. This time proven God ordained law is now being challenged by ignorant and foolish men trusting their fallen mind to govern men in this world that have not changed and will not change since the fall of Adam.

Genesis 8:21: And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.

It is a terrible shame for Christian lawyers to take a different position from the God of the Bible who concluded that the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth. Hence, capital punishment is a necessary evil without which, the entire world would be wiped out once more like the flood before that.

Left wing liberals tend to rationalize away evil and offer sentimentalized solution believing this will do greater good for mankind. They could not be more wrong. In fact, the prophet Daniel saw it coming more than 2500 years ago that men in the last days will attempt to overthrow God’s ordained law and reject the Almighty’s mode of governance on earth.

Daniel 7:25: And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

It is escalating fast and furious these days as we see the coming of the Lord draws nigh. This is especially the case when Christians being in the legal profession or otherwise, join in the choruses of left wing activists to champion abolishment of death penalty for criminals. These self-conceited Christians fail to realize that the institution of the Church is not ordained to replace the institution of the State. In fact the State is ordained by God to govern men on earth while the Church serves a different function running in parallel with the State on earth. The Church concerns the spiritual realm while the State governs the physical domain on earth.

Romans 13:1: Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
Romans 13:2: Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
Romans 13:3: For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
Romans 13:4: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
Romans 13:5: Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

Some specific members of the State are ordained by God to execute vengeance on evil doers on God’s behalf on earth. Even members of the Church are subject to the powers that be concerning matters on earth. Are Christians so foolish to challenge God’s ordained ministers and seek to influence, coerce and repudiate these ministers with their own opinions and conceited views on punishment of evil doers based on their own sentimental emotions and faulty logic?

If these foolish Christian lawyers still think it is their prerogative to champion the prevailing winds of change in the legal landscape that is sweeping across the western world, let them take note of what the apostle Paul has to say concerning capital punishment.

Acts 25:11: For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar.

Paul was accused of many things by the Jews and he went through the whole legal process available to him as a Roman citizen during his days. He acknowledged and confirmed the validity of the death penalty and he submitted himself to the legal process and if he be found guilty, he was willing to die. Are Christians lawyers going to challenge Paul on his view on capital punishment?

It is not just the apostle Paul who recognized the God ordained functions of the State, even the apostle Peter exhorted Christians to submit to these ministers serving in the physical domain because they are indeed God-sent ministers to punish evil doers and this obviously include capital punishment to be meted out to criminals where there is justifiable cause that commensurate with the nature of the crimes committed.

1 Peter 2:13: Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
1 Peter 2:14: Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

Before the advent of the Church Age, human governments have been institutionalized to govern the affairs of men on earth. Even with capital punishment in force, this however, did not stop men from killing each other. Capital punishment serves to certain extent as a deterrent to prevent a repeat of what happened prior to the flood.

Foolish Christians argue that since capital punishment could not prevent murder, so it should be done away with. God is not going to allow these self-conceited Christian activists to bring back the violence that plagued the previous world yet. There will come a time where all human restraints will be removed during the time of Jacob’s trouble when the Church is removed and these self-conceited fools will receive their just recompense of rewards living on earth to experience unspeakable violence then. The Age of conscience failed to govern fallen men on earth and human governments will eventually fail as well.

With the arrival of the Church Age, this does not in any way abrogate the institution of human governments. The Church and human governments run in parallel and they serve different functions on earth. The Church Age is a window period where sinners while living out their lives on earth as a probation may have a chance to hear the gospel and obtain salvation and eternal life in Christ. As we survey the spiritual landscape looking at the current state of the Church, we know the Church will likewise fail as well. The Church cannot and will not prevent men from killing one another so that men may live peacefully ever after.

But when you look forward to the Kingdom Age where the Lord Jesus Christ will return and reign on earth and you think death will be a thing of the past, you would be badly mistaken. Rebellion will still be present and punishment on earth will be meted out which includes capital punishment.

Zechariah 14:17: And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain.
Zechariah 14:18: And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.

Zechariah 13:3: And it shall come to pass, that when any shall yet prophesy, then his father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him, Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies in the name of the LORD: and his father and his mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophesieth.

Isaiah 65:20: There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed.

Even during the Kingdom Age living under a perfect human government with the Lord Jesus Christ on the throne and Satan banished for a thousand years, men will still fail and rebel. This will culminate in a grand final rebellion at the end of the Kingdom Age where all rebellions will eventually be put down and become history in the Eternal Age.

Revelation 20:7: And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
Revelation 20:8: And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
Revelation 20:9: And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
Revelation 20:10: And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

There is very little hope that scriptural proofs will convince some of these Christian activists from championing the removal of death penalty. Some not only champion removal of death penalty, they even champion the rights of perverts to practise their perversion and deviant behaviour. This is an affront to the thrice Holy God, the Creator of the universe who governs the affairs of men in all Ages and will never overlook sins of men.

Numbers 14:18: The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.

A Christian may choose to forgive the trespasses and transgressions of a criminal, but he has no business interfering with the law of the land to prevent justice to take its course. Like the repentant thief who believed the Lord and received pardon and salvation, he could not escape capital punishment due to him. His physical body may be lost but his soul is saved.

Christians activists championing abolishment of death penalty brings the Church into disrepute. Such acts implicitly demand compliance from the State and the Church may suffer backlash for intruding into domain that does not belong to the sphere of influence of the Church. The principle of separation of the Church and State must be strictly upheld otherwise this may invite the State to meddle with the spiritual affairs of the Church.

There is no conflict between the State and the Church on the matter of capital punishment and in fact, capital punishment is a direct commandment from the Holy Bible. Unless these Christian activists are apostates where the Holy Bible has no use to them, Christians must never sing and dance with activists seeking to abolish death penalty. After all what has a Christian got to fear about death penalty? Is death penalty interfering with their Christian faith?

Convicted serial-killer Morin Stephen Peter who became a Christian while in prison withdrew all appeals after pleading guilty to capital murder. His conviction and genuine Christian faith could teach these self-conceited Christian activists something on capital punishment.

Capital Punishment for Morin Stephen Peter

The wisest man ever lived concluded that the malady of this sin cursed world is not because of the administration of capital punishment by human governments. It is precisely because of the lack of speedy execution of God’s laws on criminals that is responsible for evil to breed and allows wickedness to flourish.

Ecclesiastes 8:11: Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.

It is indeed tragic that Christian lawyers who are so well versed with the finer points of laws of the land and are professionally acquainted with the inner workings of court proceedings but are so spiritually blind to the laws of God and His wills for men from the Holy Bible.

Are they wiser than Solomon? Are these Christian activists greater than the words of the living God? God may perhaps arrange for them or their loved ones to experience some horrible crimes to befall them to help them see the truth and then they may sing a different tune.

Capital punishment will be here to stay for a very long time until the dawn of the Eternal Age, which is at least a thousand years away. So why waste time and fight against God’s explicit commandment?