November 30
Daniel 7:1-28 | PS 119:153-176 | Prov 28:23-24 | 1 John 1:1-10
Operation Paperclip was a true act of taking 1600 German scientists who were integral to Nazi Germany, and rather than punishing them for their war crimes, were brought secretly into the United States to assist us in our efforts to have one up on the Russians during the Cold War. So desired, the forerunner of the CIA eliminated all incriminating evidence of their heinous acts in Nazi Germany. One of the most well-known recruits was Wernher von Braun who eventually became director of NASA. Seventy years later, with these minds in very influential positions what influence do you think they have had in all fields of science and medicine. The Naked Communist by W. Cleon Skouksen, written in 1958, gives point by point ways that our nation could be taken over by communism/socialism without firing a single bullet, by getting into our government, school system, judicial system, media, etc. So, we look at a nation that seems so foreign from what it was in what was termed, "The Greatest Generation" in World War 2. We have allowed the enemy in, undercover, to forever influence the minds and hearts of our nation. So infused are these evil thoughts, that those adhering to traditional and godly views are now silenced in the name of tolerance. Our recent pandemic, the LGBTQ movement, transgenderism, BLM, the abortion industry, and so much more are simply natural offshoots of what has been allowed to permeate our society over these past 70 years, and even more if one considers the influence of the likes of Margaret Sanger.
Why did John write 1 John, in roughly 96 AD, approximately 60 years after Jesus died, rose again, and ascended into heaven? Around this time a heretical movement called Gnosticism was sweeping through the church. They believed that everything material was bad, and what was spiritual was good. They denied that Jesus was actually a Man, and they purely spiritualized Him. This theory also allowed for brazen sin, as they separated acts in the flesh from acts of the spirit. John, filled with the Holy Spirit, set about setting the record straight as we read his introductory remarks in 1 John 1:1-4, "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life— the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us— that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full." Yes, John literally talked with Him, touched Him, dined with Him, etc.
Those in the movement of Gnosticism were completely wrong, but that didn't matter. They had spokesmen, they had developed convincing arguments, etc. and the truth was being squashed. We in Christ are living in a world where what is real is being silenced, and that which is false, that which is perverse is being put forth as truth. Much of what is elevated in the name of religion has been changed through the years, such that what is being put forth from many pulpits is no longer consistent with the Bible. God's Word is truth and can be trusted. We read similar portions of Scripture in Daniel 2, Daniel 7, and Revelation 13 concerning the end times involving the Antichrist and the second coming of Jesus, our Messiah. This was given to a pagan king, a Hebrew prophet, and one of Jesus' apostles. Truth, from His Word, does not change. It is time to stop believing lies and immerse ourselves in God's truth. Truth is not guaranteed by “experts”, academics, the media, even family members. His message is not confined to a verse, or one of the sixty-six books. Each book is integral to understanding God's truth. Please, pick up His book and seek Him, He will not play hide and seek with you. He will illuminate truth at a time where truth is sorely lacking everywhere else.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: