09 November, 2009

DEMONS AND OCCULT

DEMONS AND OCCULT

Could anything be more mysterious than the question of the unseen spirit world? The existence of these spiritual beings is a mystery to people on this earth for a long, long time. Do Angels (God’s agents) really exist? Is there, in fact, a Satan the Devil and demons (Devil’s agents)? Is Satan a literal, immortal being? If we can unravel these mysteries it will be a boon for the entire mankind.

Mankind is trying all along to establish the existence or to be precise the non existence of these forces, with the help of the best possible scientific instruments available as on today. But it is proving to be a mirage for the whole scientific world, because these undetectable forces are neither physical in nature nor do they leave any signatures which could be detected.

GOD’S INVISIBLE AGENTS:

In Job 38:4, 7, God is speaking specifically of the creation of this earth. He says all the angels shouted for joy at the creation of the earth. This reveals that angels were created before the creation of the earth and probably before the material universe. The suns, planets and astral bodies are material substances. Angels are individually created spirit beings, composed solely of spirit.

Why were these invisible spiritual beings created before all else? Why were they created even prior to the creation of physical matter and the physical universe? Why were they created at all?

From eternity God was supreme. God sat on the throne of all that existed or was to exist. In the 25th chapter of Exodus, we find an earthly description of the very throne of God in heaven. On either side of God’s throne was an archangel, a cherub, whose wings stretched out covering the very throne of God. This signifies that these angels were involved in the very administration of the government of God over all of God’s creation. They were aides, ministers, servants, assisting God.

God has had angels specifically assigned to supervise and protect his Church throughout all of its history (Rev. 1:4, 16, 20; 2:1, 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14). He has angels who continually walk through the earth to observe and report back to him the overall conditions on earth (Zech. 4:10; II Chron. 16:9; Rev. 5:6). And God has angels specifically assigned to look after his begotten human children (Matt. 18:10; Acts 12:15). God promises: “For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways” (Ps. 91:11).

Twelve of God’s angels will be the gatekeepers in the new city of Jerusalem (Rev. 21:12). Angels are messengers. They appeared to Abraham, Lot, Hagar, Moses, Manoah, Gideon, Elijah and many of the prophets and apostles. God assigns angels responsibilities, but God created within them power to think, to reason, to make choices and decisions.

ORIGIN OF DEVIL:

Gen 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. This first verse of the Bible actually speaks of the original physical creation in its entirety, the universe, including the earth, perhaps millions of years ago; as a perfect creation, beautiful and perfect. As far as its creation was concerned, it was a finished and completed work, because God is a perfectionist!

A group of angels with a leader was put in charge of this earth with all the pre-historic creatures even before mankind was created. But when the leader of this group out of pride wanted to become like God or equal with God, had rebelled against God and sought to overthrow God, but failed and was cast out to become Satan, the adversary. After creating humans God transferred the power and authority to them to rule the earth, and subdue it (Gen. 1:27-30). Therefore out of vengeance and contempt, he led Adam and Eve to sin. When Adam chose to obey the Devil instead of God, he, in effect, gave his dominion over the earth and all that was in it to Satan. This is how Satan became “the god of this world” again. This is why the Devil has a “right of access” to every living being.

His existence is taught both in the Old and New Testament books. Most of the teachings about Satan in the gospels were by Christ himself. This Satan is referred to as the devil, asura, saitan etc in other religions.

Satan (Zech 3:1; Matt. 4:10; Rev. 12:9; 20:2), used 52 times, comes from the Hebrew word satan meaning adversary. Devil (Matt. 4:1; 13:39; Eph. 4:27; Rev. 12:9-10; 20:2), used 35 times, comes from the Greek word diabolos meaning slanderer or accuser. Evil one (Matt. 13:19, 38; John 17:15; Eph. 6:16; 1 John 5:18, 19) describes him as the personification of evil. Serpent (Gen. 3:1; 2 Cor. 11:3; Rev. 12:9; 20:2) portrays his deceit and craftiness. Dragon (Rev. 12:3, 7, 9) indicates his fierce nature and power to destroy. Tempter (Matt. 4:3; I Thes 3:5). Deceiver (Rev. 12:9; 20:3). Murderer (John 8:44). Liar (John 8:44). Sinner (1 John 3:8). Ruler of the demons (Matt. 10:25; 12:24, 27; Mark 3:22; Luke 11:15). Belial (2 Cor. 6:15) means worthless or wicked. Satan also transforms himself into an angel of light to deceive the world (2 Cor. 11:14). Roaring lion (1 Pet. 5:8) describes him as hungry and on the prowl to devour Christians.

SATAN IS RULING:

Though Satan is subject to the limitations of being a creature, and hence he is neither, omni-potent, omni-present, omnificent or omniscient like God, nor is he holy, loving and merciful as God, but always mimicking to be one. However he heads a great kingdom of evil which consists of the demons and his earthly agents who are physically dead or alive.

The New Testament refers to him as the god of this age (2 Cor 4:4), the prince of the power of the air (Eph. 2:2), and the ruler of this world (John 12:31). Jesus identifies Satan with Beelzebub, prince of the demons (Luke 11:14-23). In addition, his human followers are the sons of the wicked one (Matt 13:38), ministers of Satan (2 Cor 11:15), the synagogue of Satan (Rev 2:9), and the children of the devil (1 John 3:10). He exercised authority over the rulers of Persia (Dan 10:12, 13). In Ephesians 6:12 he is pictured as heading a well-organized army of spiritual agents.

The terms principalities, powers, rulers of this darkness, spiritual hosts of wickedness (Eph 6:12) denote the ranks in his army. Through them he implements his will. Just as a competent general can impose a high degree of control over his army and through his troops carry out his program over a vast area; the devil can rule his worldwide kingdom of darkness.

Although he cannot personally work in every human soul, he influences multitudes of them, with the help of his demonic followers; through a system of thought that the Bible calls it “the world”, which can exploit the sinful nature of the fallen mankind.

Paul declared that before we came to Christ we were dead in trespasses and sins, walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh (Eph. 2:1-3). When people willfully choose evil, they become the “children of the devil” (John 8:44; Acts 13:10; 1 John 3:10). Thus multitudes of people either knowingly or unknowingly help Satan in his role as “the god of this world”.

John wrote: Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is not of the Father but is of the world (1 John 2:15-16).

The devil’s power over mankind, though limited by God’s permissive and directive will, is fearful. He and his evil spirits can assume visible forms (Matt 4, Luke 4); cause blindness (Matt 12:22), paralysis (Acts 8:7), and convulsions (Luke 9:39); induce self-destructive or bizarre behavior (Luke 8:27; Matt 17:15); compel animals to destroy themselves (Matt 8:28-34); create powerful illusions (Ex 7:11, 12); and perform signs and wonders (Matt 24:24).

Evil spirits have the power to directly influence our health, moods, imagination, and thoughts. For example, it is sobering to read that “Satan entered Judas” (Luke 22:3) and led him to betray Christ and finally commit suicide. And it is frightening to read about the horrible condition of the two demon-possessed men in Matthew 8:28, 29.

We must not make the mistake of minimizing Satan’s power or denying the reality of his kingdom of evil. But we must also avoid the error of giving in to despair. Moreover, the Christian who submits to God and resists the devil can make him to flee (James 4:7).

DEVOURING VICTIMS:

Ludwig Staudenmaier was a German scientist who accepted the idea that the devil was only a “myth,” a “personification of repressed, unconscious drives.” After completing his doctoral work in chemistry, zoology, and theology, he became obsessed with a desire to explore the boundaries between the natural and the supernatural, to allow the natural sciences to determine as accurately as possible the distinction between pathology and actual satanic manifestations.

At the suggestion of a friend, Staudenmaier began experimenting with the psychic technique known as “automatic writing”, a phenomenon in which the subject learns to place himself into a trance, permitting unseen forces to write messages through his hand. He soon became quite adept at automatic writing, even though he considered what he wrote, to be the product of his subconscious mind.

Soon, however, he was disturbed by hallucinations, which rapidly increased in both their frequency and severity. One night as he lay in his bed, he had the distinct feeling of a chain being fastened around his neck and tightened. Then came the strong odor of sulfur and a sinister voice saying, “you are now my captive, I will never free you, I am the devil”.

Although still clinging to his scientific perspective, Staudenmaier began to have second thoughts about his venture. He wrote: There remains in my soul no doubt that according to a naive medical perspective I have become possessed. Therefore, only two alternatives remain: Either I am on the brink of understanding the puzzle of human existence from a new and entirely novel perspective, or I am a fool who has thrown away years of time, health, and perhaps even life itself. He continued to be tormented by hallucinations until he died some years later in Rome. Staudenmaier’s experience is not unique. People of every culture have sensed or encountered the reality of a personal, supernatural, evil, spirit being.

Satan is an inhuman, merciless fiend whose ultimate goal is the destruction of the human race. It is for this that Satan desires all to be his own followers. His dream is of the day when all shall be inside him and all that says “I” can say it only through him.

SATAN’S DISGUISE:

Paul warns us that Satan transforms himself into an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14). This is necessarily so, since anyone would flee from him if they sensed his true nature. A master of disguise, Satan appears in many forms to conceal the truth of the incarnation.

Though Carl Jung, the founder of the Jungian School of Psychology, vehemently denied incarnation, but he embraced the reincarnation theory on the authority of figures who spoke to him in his visions and dreams. Popularization of the practices such as channeling and astral projection are nothing but the occultist practices that have been widespread for a long time.

The deception in believing in reincarnation is twofold. Since there is no sobering fear of judgment for our actions before a holy God, it encourages people to be completely self-serving. If every experience in life is just a lesson we need to learn then we are accountable to no one. We then rationalize: what does it matter if we hurt others, betray our families and friends, indulge our every whim: we can chalk these things up to just another experience to learn from. This is where the deception comes to play, and where the devil plays at our ego.

The degenerate pop idols of the 1970s and the 1980s offer no message except self-indulgence and rebellion. Using a great deal of satanic imagery, these “artists” advocate and model such destructive behavior as drug abuse, promiscuous sex, and violence. Claiming no responsibility for the image they project, they have inspired younger and weaker souls to molestation, mutilation, murder, and suicide.

Satan’s kingdom works through sinister figures like Emperor Nero, Adolf Hitler all of whom were deeply involved with occultism. He also deceives people through innocent-appearing means by tempting us with many things that are not evil in themselves. Wealth, property, fame, power, family, friends, science, art, and even religion can become false gods if they distract us from an understanding of our loving Creator as He has revealed Himself in Christ.

Similarly if we think that Halloween is just harmless fun, we are an unwitting participant in a world-wide deception of staggering proportions. Deception is the stock and trade of hell’s angels and they have, over a long period of time, lulled this world to sleep and have it set up for the ultimate deception. Satan’s agenda has been well served by staying behind a cloak of superstition and secrecy.

Lord Jesus placed heavy emphasis on the deceitful nature of the devil. In a confrontation with the Pharisees, He declared that their inability to recognize the truth was due to the fact that they were allied with the devil. John 8:44, You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

The devil has woven his lies throughout the world. The biggest lie of all is that, there are many paths to God. Satan lies with half-truths. There are many paths to the god of hell, who happens to be Satan. But there is only one path to the God of heaven: the God who even created Satan before he was thrown out of heaven. That path is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God, who died on the Cross personally and painfully for each of us.

SATAN IS ACCUSING US:

In Revelation 12:10 the devil is portrayed as the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night. The Greek word for devil (diabolos) means slanderer or false accuser. The classic statement on the role of Satan as the great accuser is found in the book of Job (1:6-12; 2:1-5). And in the vision recorded in Zechariah 3:1-10, Satan is standing at the right hand of Joshua to make accusation against him. God apparently allowed him this privilege so that His grace to sinners might be magnified.

Because he hates those who don’t believe his lie, Satan is an accuser of Christ and all who follow Him. Because he denies the goodness of God’s creation, we can expect him to place the worst possible interpretation on any act of faith and obedience. Since Satan’s accusing spirit is duplicated in the fleshly nature of every person, obedient Christians are exposed to constant accusation from within and without (Rom 7:13-25).

The devil shares his character with all who join him in doubting the goodness of God. People who resist the truth and thus become the children of the devil, get so warped and twisted in soul that even the best actions of God’s people are often perceived as being rooted in evil.

We see this trait of fallen man illustrated in the Pharisees’ attitude toward Jesus Christ. They called the sinless Son of God a drunkard, a glutton, a friend of immoral people, a violator of the law, a sorcerer, an insurrectionist and a blasphemer.

Anyone who has felt the force of the accuser’s power realizes how helpless we are to resist his temptations and accusations in our own strength. Each of us is so compromised by sin and impure motives that we can be confused, paralyzed, and even driven to despair when we are exposed to the merciless attack of either the fleshly nature within or demonic accusations without. If it were not for the saving and interceding role of Christ, we would quickly succumb to the charges of our accusing enemy.

SATAN IS FIGHTING US:

We should not expect to walk with Christ without a fight for our faith. A life of faith in Jesus Christ is a life of conflict. Jesus referred to the devil as our enemy (Matt. 13:39; Luke 10:19), and he is also called our adversary (1 Pet. 5:8). As such, he hates God’s people and tries to destroy them. He does this with a strategy of infiltration, neutralization, and destruction.

Major operations among the believers are: discouraging them from reading and studying the Word of God, and thereby making them ignorant of their authority and of the promises of God. In crusade grounds these agents of devil would be sent to cause disagreements and quarrels.

After the preaching these demons in disguise would come out for the altar call, pretend to have received Christ and would be prayed for. At the end of the fellowship or service they would hang around waiting for the preacher who naturally would be very happy for these new converts. These converts may even follow the preacher to his house. If the preacher does not have the spirit of discernment they would lure him into the sin of fornication.

If someone leaves the occult and decides to come to Christ, invariably they are being troubled, pursued and even threatened with dire consequences. They are even woken up in the odd hours and made to go to burial grounds or even to a lonely place for this purpose. But for the protection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ they would be even killed. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of God shall lift up a standard against him (Isaiah 59: 19).

PLANTING COUNTERFEITS:

Jesus warned us that our enemy, the devil, plants false Christians among the true (Matt 13:24-30). Some of these false brethren (2 Cor. 11:26) directly attack true believers. Others try to introduce a false, ritualistic gospel within the organized church (Gal 1:6-9). Still others, either from within the church or through a cult, teach a counterfeit righteousness (Rom 10:1-3).

Jesus called these tares, the sons of the wicked one, declaring that the one who sows them is the devil (Matt 13:38, 39). It is impossible to cleanse the church completely of its enemy agents. If you find a spirit of pride and willfulness, be careful. Apply the Word of God with humility and gentleness (Matt 18:15-17; 2 Tim. 2:24-26; 2 Pet. 2; 1 John 4:1-6).

Satan has a counterfeit spirituality that he is offering as a substitute for Biblical spirituality. Just as a Christian must open up his or her soul to the control of the Holy Spirit in order to be Biblically Spiritual, so a person must open up his or her soul to the control of the evil spirits to be Devilish.

1Ti 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; John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

SATAN IS POSSESSING:

Demonic possession is often the term used to describe the control over a human soul by a demon. Descriptions of demonic possessions often include: erased memories or personalities, convulsions, fits and fainting as if one were dying. The subject has no control over the possessing entity and so it will persist until forced to leave the victim, usually through a form of exorcism. The basic symptoms are violence, lust, greed, and an unnatural power of persuasion. Other descriptions include access to hidden knowledge and foreign languages, drastic changes in vocal intonation and facial structure, sudden appearance of injury scratches, bite marks or lesions and superhuman strength.

The gospels record many instances in which the devil or his demons took control of a victim’s personality. In the New Testament, People in Jerusalem (Act 5:16), in Samaria (Act 8:7), in Philippi (Act 16:16-18) and in Ephesus (Act19:11,12) possessed by demons. Ananias is an illustration of being controlled by unholy spirits (Acts 5:3). Nobel scientist Sir John Eccles said of the human soul that it was a machine that a ghost can operate.

Millions of people are opening up their souls to ghosts (unholy spirits) through altered states of consciousness(ASC). ASC is the deliberate cultivation of abnormal states of consciousness developed through a specific technique. In fact it may involve everything from hypnosis and other trance states to possession states (as mediumism and shamanism) to altered states that are characteristically pathological (as in kundalini arousal and shamanism), to direct visualization and imagery, lucid dreaming, drug-induced states of consciousness, meditation and bio-feedback-induced consciousness, and many others.

Many proponents of ASC claim that altered states allegedly produce a ‘higher’ state of consciousness or ‘being’ including dramatic spiritualistic revelations, psychic powers, personality alterations, and a ‘positive’ reconstructing of the participant’s worldview along Asian lines. But, ASC’s are not all they are cracked up to be. In fact, many cases of temporary and permanent insanity, spirit contact, occult transformation and spirit possession have resulted. Just because one does not believe in God or in the devil, doesn’t stop devil from having a grip on such people.

OCCULT:

The occult is a broad term referring to activities that seek or use knowledge and/or power from sources other than God. Examples of occult are sorcery, astrology, magic, witchcraft, palm-reading, fortunetelling, false religions, astral projection, mind control and spell-casting. Any involvement with the occult can become an entry point for spiritual oppression in our lives.

The term occult means hidden and, in a spiritual context, relates to Satan worship. Occult practices are associated with specific symbols and paraphernalia. The symbols include such things as the five-pointed star and the goat’s head. Occult paraphernalia includes candles and blood. The blood is usually animal but can be human. The star, or pentagram, is often drawn on the floor with burning candles set at each point.

INTEREST IN WITCHCRAFT:

The modern witch does not fit the stereotype of the old hag, for many people who are practicing this art are in the mainstream of society. The question is why? Why a renewed interest in this ancient art among both the educated and the ignorant?

The first and most important motivation any occult has is rebellion. God’s Word tells us this in 1 Samuel 15:23, For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Many people, especially young people, enjoy rebelling against authority. God represents the ultimate authority to them, and the occult gods seem to offer a great deal of freedom - no laws, no set beliefs, it is a religion they can make up as they go along.

Another reason is the lure of the new. We live in a throwaway society where old things are considered worthless. Occultism is ever-changing; becoming whatever the practitioner wants it to be at any given moment and so, unlike a formal religion, can change with the fashion of the day. They may worship Woden today, but they can worship Ra tomorrow, as they please. Occultism remains forever new because it has no base to draw upon; only the practitioner themselves.

As per reincarnation theory every experience in life is just lessons they need to learn hence they are accountable to none, and the occult gods seem to offer a great deal of freedom. Homosexuals, feminists and fornicators find God’s laws not to their liking and may be attracted to religions which do not recognize them as sin.

Peer pressure and influence is another powerful motive. In recent years there has been a wealth of occult and wiccan themes in popular TV shows such as “Charmed” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”; in films such as “The Craft” and in books like “Harry Potter” and the teenager’s series called “Wicca” by Cate Tiernan as well as quasi-historical books like “Witch Child” by Celia Rees. Many of these books are aimed at teenagers, and this has led to a boom among teenagers for witchcraft.

Ecological awareness and love of nature has been growing since the 1960s, and is a major concern to many young people. With its worship of the earth as a god, occultism seems to offer an ecologically friendly religion. Christianity has been sadly lax in its care for the earth, considering it to be merely something for man to do as he likes with rather than a creation of God to be tended for Him. The delayed acknowledgement of this by Christians gave occults the chance to implant an image of Christianity as a selfish and destructive religion which should not be true.

Love of art and culture is another strong motivation for some people. Occultism taps into and makes use of folk tales, legends and songs in their worship. Most people - particularly in the UK - grow up with tales of ancient gods and goddesses such as Woden and Thor, the Greek pantheon and most especially the Celtic gods. Ancient legends and folktales contain reference to mystical figures such as Arthur, witches, wizards and fairies, as well as old tales about ancient gods. For an occult to make use of these tales taps into a feeling of nostalgia as well as giving a cultural base to people often confused by increasing globalization.

Today, in a massive spin-off from the culture-wide interest in the occult, this has changed. Tens of thousands across the world, some of them with university degrees are dabbling in witchcraft, satanism, voodoo, and other forms of black and white magic. Witches appear openly on television. Every high school is said to have its own witch. In Cleveland they rent a witch to liven up a party. There are some 80,000 persons practicing white magic in the United States, with 6,000 in Chicago alone.

Many, if not, most spiritually sensitive women in the women’s movement are willing to replace the biblical God with a frankly occult and polytheistic approach. Witchcraft is aiding the women in their search for roots and rituals without the connotations of evil usually associated with witchcraft. The goddess movement, also called the women-spirit movement, apparently considers the ancient Mediterranean world, occult Europe, Native America and Hindu tradition are all sources for goddess imagery “goddess consciousness”.

There is the eternal appeal of magic, the promise, however muted, that there are secrets available that will give a person power, money, love, and all those things he or she desires but cannot seem to obtain. Here is a set of beliefs that claim to be part of an extremely ancient religion. The religion in which drugs and free sexuality are not condemned, but encouraged.

BOUND FOR GENERATIONS:

A group of friends started playing with ouija boards. They could contact the supposed spirits of the dead through demons, without their realizing. This seemed like a fun thing to do but it wasn’t long after this that they started waking up in the middle of the night because someone was choking them. There would be a female presence in the bedroom at these times. This was a nightmare that for years they would wake up terrified.

They were tormented with full of negative thoughts and could not fully understand what was going on. The nights were the worst. This led to despair, depression, anxiety, confusion, anger, self-pity, self-hatred and suicidal thoughts; because of a demon sitting on their shoulders telling them how worthless they are and that the only way to escape their pain is through death.

Occult practices usually have two main objectives: supernatural knowledge concerning the future, and power, which the occultist seeks to gain through manipulation of supernatural forces and beings. Demons can be most accommodating, and will cheerfully provide these occults the knowledge and the power they aspire, but it removes that individual from God’s protection.

Thus Satan the prince of this earth binds them and these psychic habits very often get passed on to their children and will most likely get passed onto to their children’s children as well. Curses often manifesting in different forms of addictions which many have been inherited from their bloodline can be holding them in bondage for generations.

SEEDS OF DESTRUCTION:

The danger in psychic phenomena is that it presents a possible reality outside of God’s authority. By putting their faith in occultism and occult powers by inviting the demons into their lives, they are sowing seeds of destruction for themselves. It can lead them to an emotionally unstable, insecure condition and the possibility of obsession.

Occultic induction consists of a system of verbal and nonverbal manipulation to lead a person into a heightened state of suggestibility, a condition in which one will believe almost anything. And the soul loses its ability to distinguish between fact and fantasy (truth and error). Satan can and does take advantage of the opportunity. Innocent and ignorant people are being dragged to ouija board, astrology, tea-leaf reading, rod and pendulum, dungeons and dragons, séances, palmistry, crystal balls, tarot cards, magic, spells, charms, potions, zodiac and mediums etc.

This psychic realm and goddess-based beliefs as well as drug use leads to the psychiatric illness: characterized by both manic and depressive episodes. Most of the people who worked as psychics, healers, and other new-agers are the victims of addictions and mental illnesses (depression and anxiety).

Even the most common means, counselors use in uncovering the past apart from psychoanalysis is hypnotism. Hypnotism brings a person into altered states of consciousness. Mental illness, drug addiction and the occult are very much linked. Drugs alter our perception and is a form of witchcraft. Indeed many pagan religions use drugs and altered states to connect to the spirit realm. Many people who have mental illness are well aware of the spiritual realm and they experience demons, angels and many other things as part of the confusion of the condition.

Asian gurus have flooded the market with transcendental meditation and yoga. Courses in TM, witchcraft and parapsychology are being offered for credit at numerous schools and colleges. Their doctrines of karma and reincarnation have been embraced by millions. They claim to be helping others, but actually fulfilling their own greed, pride, ambitions and selfishness. The force of denial is so powerful, especially when the ego is being fed with status and glamour.

Those involved may believe they are appealing to various different forces, pagan or heathen deities, spirit of some dead person, Satan and demons. Some people knowingly attempt to appeal to demonic forces to work in their lives; others, such as in Wicca, do not believe Satan even exists.

Many people ignore who or what the power is. They simply learn certain rituals that they believe summon spirit forces to produce some end result. If they think they can obtain the desired goal, they do not care who the force is. Whenever people appeal to any spirit or supernatural power other than the God of the Bible to work in their lives that is the occult.

Witches may be men or women, pretty or ugly. They may distinguish white magic from black magic. Black magic means spells, incantations, curses, etc., intended to bring harm to someone. White magic uses spells, etc., to try to bring good fortune, such as producing rain, finding some lost object, bringing success in war or business, producing a good crop, etc. Some would tell us that white magic is good because it helps people.

A different form of witchcraft and sorcery is divination or soothsaying. This involves supernatural methods used to seek information that cannot be obtained by natural processes of study and investigation. But the source of the power is what makes them inherently evil, regardless of the intended goal. Witchcraft and every aspect of the occult are plainly condemned by God, because they are a counterfeit substitute for the power of God. Jer 10:15 They are vanity, and the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.

WORSHIPING IDOLS AND IMAGES:

Many people are so easily led away from the true God, into the worship of idols and images, because of visible, outward signs, with show, pageants, parades, have an attraction to the natural heart, which often fails to perceive the unseen spiritual realities. But the greatest attraction seems to have been in licentious revelries and obscene orgies with which the worship of the idols is observed.

This worship is appealing to every sensual passion, joined with the attractions of wealth, fashion and luxury, naturally was a great temptation to a simple, restrained, gullible people. Occultism is all about having power, control and indulgence. It’s ok to indulge in greed or lust and be the most obnoxious individual. To fulfill all these, the occultist can always talk to a demon and say, I bid you to do what I want because I belong to you and you belong to me.

Idolatry does not find any support from Hindu Vedas. In chapter 32 of Yajurveda it says that God is Supreme or The Supreme Spirit has no ‘Pratima’ or material shape. He cannot be seen directly by anyone. His name is so great that only the Name is enough to invoke Him. He pervades all beings and all directions.

Every time the Israelites started worshiping idols they came into captivity and bondage of their enemies and the Devil. Because God says, thou shalt have no other gods before me, thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth below, or that is in the water under the earth; thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them; for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me (Exo 20:3-5). This includes all that we love and aspire more than God.

To attempt to seduce others to false worship is also a crime of equal enormity (Deu 13:6-10). To seek power and knowledge from supernatural sources other than God is in every sense to place other gods before Him. Pro 8:36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death. Thus Satan the prince of this earth binds them and their descendants to their eternal death.

CASTING OUT DEMONS:

Satan is so subtle, that he will never voluntarily quit his possession; It was plain that the doctrine of Christ made war upon the devil’s kingdom, and had a direct tendency to break his power, and crush his interest in the souls of men.

Psalm 91:13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Mat 10:1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of diseases. Not only did Jesus Christ cast out demons from the people but also gave he power to his disciples to do the same. They were to heal the sick, cast out demons and preach the gospel.

In Mar 9:25-28, Jesus rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead. But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose. And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, why could not we cast him out?

This is because, in the hierarchy of Devil’s kingdom, we may be able to overcome up to certain level but not all the levels, depending upon the spiritual maturity of the individual believer. The strength to subdue and defeat the enemy is not found in the natural; it is found in the Lord. The Bible commands us as believers to be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might (Eph. 6:10). The Greek infers the command to be strengthened in Christ’s might, as is promised to the believer: “And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power” (Eph.1:19).

If we recognize and acknowledge the real source of our strength, we won’t attempt to fight the forces of hell alone, for the power to subdue and defeat the enemy does not rest in our strength; it comes from the Lord. Luke 10:19 declares, “I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” We get this spiritual power by eating the spiritual food (hidden manna) from the Word of God through the Holy Spirit.

God has provided weapons to knock out all the tactics, the strategies, and the objectives of the satanic plan. The kingdom of darkness expects to see our soul blow up; instead, the tactic backfires in their face. 2Co 10:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 1Jn 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. God has promised never to forsake us or turn His back upon us. This is a revealed truth and because God cannot lie which is against His very nature it must be accepted as truth. God had not abandoned Job.

There is a system of casting out devil in the other religions also. Here Satan is not cast out; he only goes out by consent. There was nothing in the manner of Christ’s casting out devils.

DEMONS IN CHRISTIANS:

Christians have been brainwashed into thinking that they can’t have demons. They are taught their problems are the flesh, their sin nature, their personality, a test from God, all things work together for the glory of God etc. Most of this is the result of religious demons, the hardest ones to deal with. We know many Christians that are having all kinds of problems.

Many of us in the church believe our sincerity acts as a kind of magical protection against all demonic intrusions and deceptions. But the Bible warns us repeatedly to be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour (1Pe 5:8).

God will not violate our will if we do not desire His will for us. Develop a desire to cooperate with the Holy Spirit so that God will enhance our will to do His will. Our thinking must be in agreement with God’s Word then we are ready for deliverance from unclean spirits in our soul. Spirits of lust, pride, anger, unforgiveness, hate, depression, anxiety, compulsion, fear, worry, guilt, shame, rejection, rebellion, ancestral curses, deep hurt, witchcraft, etc. must be rooted out of the soul. This part of our warfare is very important because if we have areas in us that the enemy can use against us, he will use them. Slaves who love their chains can never be free.

Most of the demons do in fact leave when we command them to leave in the name of Jesus. However, there are times when we cannot get rid of it, because demons work on legal grounds most of the time. It’s like they have a “lease” to be in us. If we were in the occult at one time, this would be a legal ground. We can command them to leave all day, but they don’t have to, until the occult is renounced by the person. This renouncement breaks the lease. Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Also we are able to see different spirit come among us because of our ignorance and undiscernment concerning the gift of God and the schemes of the Devil. 1Jn 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. Mat 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

2Co 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. Col 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. Eph 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

POWER FROM GOD:

Power in our lives comes by grace, from the Holy Spirit. Power to walk by faith, power to resist temptation, power to minister and witness is available to every believer. God made His position on the occult remarkably clear in Duet: 18:9-14, where He lists full gamut of occult categories labeling them as detestable, because God knows the demonic source behind these practices and does not want his people to be contaminated by them (Lev 19:31). Those who turn to mediums and to spiritists are spiritual harlots in the eyes of God (Lev 20:6).

Pro 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. The word translated keep and diligence means to guard, to protect or preserve. The Word of God is to control our soul. We can see that from 2 Timothy 3:16, All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

To avoid being trapped by counterfeit spirituality that is offered by the Devil, everyone must open up his or her soul to the control of the Holy Spirit in order to be Biblically Spiritual. Spiritual in this sense means devoted to and controlled by a higher power or the Lord God Almighty.

Fasting is a weapon for us to use to break the bondage of the enemy. Isaiah 58:6, Is not this the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? Binding and Loosing are weapons used to prevail against the gates of hell (Matt 16:18, 19).

When Joshua was called to warfare by the Lord, the Lord said to him, “only be thou strong and very courageous”. Joshua 1:7, Again the Lord did not call us to battle to lose and in Joshua 1:9 He said, “This Book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”

What better guarantee do we need than to have the Living God take us into the battle and bring us out successfully? God has given us power over the enemy! Every evil spirit, every dumb spirit, every infirmity, every spirit of divination, every perverse spirit and spiritual blindness must fall by the wayside. We must be persistent. According to God’s Word, we win.

John 8:32, And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

27 December, 2008

OLD AND NEW COVENANT

A covenant is a contract, an agreement between two parties. When God is one among them, it is a very serious contract, a sacred agreement. God’s existence was revealed to the world through this agreement. Many believe that the old covenant refers to a harsh Ten Commandments law, while the new covenant pertains only to grace and promises not based on law or obedience.

Yet, the Bible reveals the true meaning and significance of these divisions, known as the Old Testament and the New Testament. When God created man, He made him to appear as a spiritual image of Himself. Man was physically and spiritually complete. But for his regular sustenance as the physical man needs to eat; the spiritual man was to depend on God for the spiritual food for his soul.

When the first man was to make a choice between God and devil as the source for his spiritual food, he willfully chooses the devil, as the present day world. It was not just a simple disobedience, but it was a deliberate choice of evil over good, and the evil spirit got embedded onto the human soul afflicting the entire human race.

In this condition, the spirit, which is the life force for the soul (Genesis 2:7 The Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. Job 32:8 But it is the spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand), lost its sustenance from God and got suppressed, and the devil took almost full control and authority over the human soul, thus making them carnal or devilish.

THE OLD COVENANT:

It is the Law of the flesh Rom 7:5; Law of works Rom 3:27; No mercy Heb 10:28; Many sacrifices Heb 9:12-13; Aaronic priesthood Heb 7:11; Temporary priest Heb 7:23; Yearly atonement Heb 10:3; Priests have sin Heb 5:1-4; Remembers sins Heb 10:3; Carnal ministry Heb 9:9-10.

The Ten Commandments were the constitution of the theocracy and the other laws were the bylaws. All of these ordinances and regulations together constituted the Mosaic Law. The Mosaic economy and the ordinances targeted chiefly the carnal beings. Their meats and drinks concerned the body; their ablutions and washings sanctified to the purifying of the flesh; their circumcision was outward in the flesh; all the rituals of the law consisted in outward things, hence those that trusted in them trusted in the wellbeing and purity of the flesh.

And their spiritual activities were centered around the temple, because God was present in the temple. They were supposed to visit the temple for celebrating feasts and festivals and offer first fruits, tithes and sacrifices for the forgiveness of their sins. Only the High Priest could come before the very presence of God in the Holy of Holies once a year. A veil separated the people from their God. Similar veil can be seen in many of the Indian temples even today.

In addition, the Old Covenant containing a single unified law code was a legal, conditional covenant requiring perfect and complete obedience of all those who are under it. Deu 28:1-2,15,25 If thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all His commandments, then the Lord thy God will set thee on high and all the blessings shall come upon thee. But if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, the Lord shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies and the entire curse shall come upon thee.

All such instructions and the failure of Israel to live up to what they had promised to do, are documented as a lesson for the benefit of the later generations. Such a lesson could not have been condensed into one proverb or even one episode. These lessons had to be written in blood, so to speak, requiring many books of the Bible, with the experiences of many generations interwoven with God’s commands and counsel.

Carnal Man: In spite being instructed by God’s servants and witnessing numerous divine miracles from God, the Israelites could not keep the Law, much less overcome weaknesses of the flesh. John 7:19 Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Their experience demonstrates that man cannot obey or please God in his carnal state. So all of them slowly drifted towards the rituals, formalities and traditions set by their priests and elders.

Unfortunately this is what most of the people around the world, irrespective of any religion are practicing scrupulously even today, thinking that they are fulfilling the will of God. They are not only disobeying God, but also making others to do the same, proving themselves to be enemies of God.

Rom 8:6-7 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. Nothing short of God’s miraculous divine intervention is required to open the mind and grant the willpower to begin keeping God’s laws; to deeply desire to be in harmony with every aspect of His will.

THE NEW COVENANT:

These carnal men who were unable to keep the Old Covenant were condemned to Hell. But God in His mercy did not want to leave mankind to be lost for ever. So He decides to revive the spiritual being in man through Jesus Christ, and makes the New Covenant with this spiritual man. This was predicted by prophet Jeremiah 31:31 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them Eze 36:27.

The New Covenant is the Law of the Spirit Rom 8:2; Law of grace and faith John 1:17; Complete mercy Heb 8:12; One sacrifice for sin Heb 10:12; Melchisedec priesthood Heb 5:5-10, 7:21; Eternal priest Heb 7:17; Eternal atonement Heb 10:14; Sinless priest Heb 7:26; Forgets sins Heb 8:12, 10:17; Spiritual ministry II Cor 3:6.

The New Covenant is modeled after the old, with its basic laws like the Ten Commandments which are not only retained in all its force and wisdom, but Jesus makes it plain that He added intent to the scope of the laws so that it is now stricter under the New Covenant.

Mat 5:38-40, 43-44 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 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. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. Ye have heard that it hath been said, thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.

Mat 5:17-19 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

We call this New Testament period as grace period because we are not penalized then and there for all our misdeeds, but we are not at liberty to live in sin either. This grace gives us the freedom and power to obey Jesus Christ because of His perfect obedience to the law, as well as His bearing of its curse on the cross, the New Covenant promises only blessings to all those who belong to it.

Mat 5:3-11 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

FULFILLING THE OLD AND NEW COVENANTS:

The New Covenant also fulfills the promise that God made to Abraham in Gen 22:18, “in thy seed (which is Christ Gal 3:16) shall all the nations (Jews and Gentiles) of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice”. Through whom alone all God’s blessings of providence, mercy, grace, and glory, have been conveyed to the nations of the earth. 2Pe 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

God can be pleased only with that which resembles Himself; and those who are made partakers of His own divine nature. To attain this divine nature, first and foremost the spiritual being has to be revived through faith in Jesus Christ, who shed His own blood to atone for the sins of the world and then get strengthened by the Word with the help of the Holy Spirit.

John 14:16-17,26 I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Thus the New Testament believers are taught by the Holy Spirit according to the word of truth and by the ministry of it they can fulfill all the Covenants of God, when they meditate the Word of God day and night. Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Psalm 119:97,99 O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.

Through this meditation we learn to feed the spiritual being with the spiritual food, so that the spiritual beings become stronger than the physical beings. Daniel (1:8-20) preferred to eat this spiritual food rather than feeding the physical being with the best possible physical food, i.e. the portion of king’s meat; which made him to get spiritually strengthened to glorify God. Php 4:13, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

LEARNING THE WORD:

Amos 8:11 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord. As it was predicted we have the written word, the Bible to read, but no ministers with revelations, but they have all become full of greed, self-indulgent, deceit and sinful (Mat 23:25, 28). Unfortunately most of the believers are heavily dependent on these pastors or preachers for their spiritual food, not knowing that they are all adulterated and eating such foods results in decay and death of their spiritual beings.

1John 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. Rev 7:17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters. Jesus also declares that no one can claim to be a rabbi, spiritual father or a master because all are equal. We have only one Rabbi, one Father and one Master who is our Messiah Jesus himself (Mat 23:8-10).

Gal 1:11-12 I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. Likewise the believers are to depend only on Jesus Christ for the revelation or the heavenly manna which is the one and only spiritual food for the spiritual being, because the commandments of the Lord are pure, sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb (Psa 19:8,10).

Literal Word: Ever since the creation of Adam and Eve, the devil has demonstrated himself to be a literalist preacher. In Genesis 3:4, the devil through the serpent says to Eve, Ye shall not surely die! This appears to be correct if we interpret the word literally, because they did not physically die immediately after their disobedience. But this is contrary to what God had said to Adam and Eve in Gen. 2:17, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shall not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shall surely die. If we understand these words that God spoke to be spiritual in their reference, then both of them did die spiritually, immediately as per God’s warning.

If we study Jesus’ temptation in Matthew 4:1-11 for example, the devil’s message was about literal bread, while Jesus’ concern was spiritual bread. The devil again tempts Jesus Christ with the mutilated quotation of (Psa 91:11-12) that he would be safe in casting himself down from the pinnacle of the Temple; which actually referred to spiritual protection. Even the last temptation was an attempt to interest Jesus in the literal kingdom, rather than the spiritual kingdom Jesus was setting up (John 18:36). Hence it is clear that the devil is a literalist preacher.

Paul taught in II Cor 3:6 that the letter (in Greek letter means literal) killeth, but the spirit (spiritual) giveth life. In John 3 : 4, Nicodemus thinks that being born again is a literal, fleshly rebirth, and in John 4:15, when Jesus offers the Samaritan woman the water of life, she means literal water.

Heavenly (Hidden) Manna: Bible is a unique book, because it is given by inspiration of God (2 Ti 3:16). Apart from the prophesies, it contains portions of scripture that indicate only a literal meaning which are meant for the non-believers to understand, but the remaining are all having both literal and spiritual or pure spiritual meanings, which are meant only for the spiritually growing and spiritually matured God’s children respectively. The spiritual meanings contained in this book, if they should be written every one, even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written (John 21:25). It is an unfathomable and inexhaustible treasure house, from where God says, He will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely (Rev 21:6; Isa 55:1-2).

Deu 8:3 And He humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live. The manna typified Christ, the bread of life. He is the Word of God; by Him we live.

John 6:53-55 Then Jesus said unto them, verily, verily, I say unto you, except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. His flesh is the literal word and we are required to eat His flesh with His blood. This blood is the life in the Word. Therefore it is a must to eat the Word with life which is the real food (hidden manna) for our spiritual being.

Only for His Children: Luke 8:10 Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. The word mystery, in the Bible, properly means a thing that is concealed, or hidden. Rev 2:17 To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna. “Hidden manna”, as the food of the righteous, the very phrase used here is being the food of the children of God. This manna was hidden, but Christ promises to give it to him that is conqueror.

Psalm 25:14 The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will show them his covenant. Col 1:26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: Col 2:2-3 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

SPIRITUAL WISDOM:

The Gospel is the wisdom of God, mysterious, hidden, ancient wisdom, and hence the more we eat the Word of God, the more spiritual wisdom we get. It is also the direct measure of our spiritual growth. This spiritual growth is a must for us to get transformed to His image. 1Co 2:6-7 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to naught: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory.

We know that the world’s wisdom is literal, physical understanding of things which will come to nothing. However, there is a mystery or spiritual wisdom that is of God. James 3:17 The Spiritual wisdom is pure in itself, it is free from everything that is earthly, carnal or sensual or devilish; it produces purity of heart, of life, and conversation; and is the means of keeping persons pure and chaste, and free from impure lusts, lusts of uncleanness, pride, envy, wrath, etc. which prevail in carnal and unregenerate men.

Dan 12:3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament. 1Co 2:12-14 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.

Spiritual Eyes: 2Co 4:3-4 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. The natural (carnal) person does not see or understand them because their spiritual eyes are blinded, but can be understood only by spiritual people with the spiritual wisdom.

1Co 2:8-11 None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written, what no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him, these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

God is not merely eternal. He is supreme in every quality of goodness, and in Him absolutely no evil dwells. In the Bible, this goodness is called holiness, which is transcendent purity. It permeates every aspect, every attribute, of God-life. God’s character is holy, and it flows out from Him in acts of love, making it impossible for Him to do anything evil. This is the state towards which He is drawing us.

SPIRITUAL SHORTCUT:

Unfortunately very many believers are being led to go astray by taking spiritual shortcuts, without going through the process of growing spiritually and knowing God intimately. Mat 7:13-14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in there at: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Mat 7:21-23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Iniquity means (from the Hebrew word עוּ×”, pronounced as iwwah, to bend, make crooked, pervert) crookedness, or perverseness, i.e. evil regarded as that which is not straight or upright, moral distortion. Primarily, it denotes “not an action, but the character of an action”.

The meaning of Christ here is, “I never had any love, or affection for you; I never esteemed you; I never made any account of you, as mine, as belonging to me; I never approved of you, nor your conduct; I never knew you exalt my person, blood, righteousness and sacrifice; you talk of the works you have done, I never knew you do one good work in all your lives, with a single eye to my glory; wherefore, I will neither hear, nor see you; I have nothing to do with you”.

“I never knew you”; for as the omniscient God, He knew their persons and their works, and that they were workers of iniquity; He knew what they had been doing all their days; He knew the principles of all their actions, nothing is hid from Him. Psalm 1:6 For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish, in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel Rom 2:16.

Mat 7:19 & Luke 3:9 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 1Co 3:13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 2Th 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness.

SPIRITUAL GIFTS:

These people have been casting out the demons, prophesying and doing many other wonderful works, not of their own strength, but definitely by the gift of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are all gifted people, but still God could not approve of their actions. There is nothing wrong with these gifts but the way in which they were used, or the purpose for which they have been used is what matters to God.

It can be seen, that these gifts are being given to the people even before they have learnt anything from the Word of God. Act 10:45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. Being spiritually immature, these groups of people are likely to misuse their gifts. When they start exercising their spiritual gifts, they will have no strength to resist the devil and his temptations, and become an easy prey to his wiles. Hence they start glorifying themselves rather than glorifying God who had bestowed them with all these gifts.

This is what we see in the life of many of the Old Testament believers like Samson, Saul, Solomon and many others. King Solomon had the gift of the worldly wisdom, but was unable to keep the commandments of God, as required by Deu 17:17, Neither shall the king multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold; but he did and fell into sin. Jonah 1:1-3 Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah, saying arise, go to Nineveh that great city, and cry against it for their wickedness is come up before me. But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. They were all anointed and gifted with special gifts but not spiritually matured.

It is evident from the scriptures that there are different types of spiritual gifts which God wants to bestow upon His people. We also should know that these gifts are given to His servants or those who are engaged in his work without their asking. It is like a company employing lots of people for different types of work, and for each and every one of them the employer provides the required machinery, material and tools in addition to their salaries and allowances, to help them create the best product.

Similarly when we join God’s army as faithful soldiers we are provided with all the required tools (spiritual gifts) to fight His war efficiently and effectively. God knows exactly what types of gifts are required for the type of job which we are going to do. Since it is a gift and it is to be used only as a tool for furthering His Kingdom and to bring glory and honor to His mighty name, there is no reason why anyone who has these gifts should think themselves superior to others and why struggle throughout life for getting it, without ever using it or misusing it? Those who are influenced by the devil are likely to utilize their gifts to gratify their own lusts.

Ezekiel 47:3 And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles. It is perfectly natural that as soon as one reaches this stage and starts working for God, we can see the manifestation of the Holy Spirit in the form of miracles. This is because, God says, He will discriminate between him that serveth God and him that serveth Him not (Mal 3:18).

At this stage if the miracle worker starts broadcasting (self-glorification), he is not only destroying himself but also misleading large number of gullible people. It is only at this depth; one can jump, dance and advertise but can not and will not do the same after getting deeper.

SPIRITUAL MATURITY:

Ezekiel 47:4-5 Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins. Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over.

If only we follow the conducting Holy Spirit, the minister of the Gospel, not only we come to know the Lord intimately, but also we find a continual increase of light and life, till at last we are carried by the streams of grace to the ocean of eternal mercy; then plunged and lost in His immensity. This is the essence of spiritual growth and it is a long-long way to go.

Eze 47:9 And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh.

John14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. John 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. If we grow spiritually, we will be able to give spiritual fruits for God as soon as we reach spiritual maturity; similar to a tree as it grows normally, it gets matured, and starts giving fruits which cannot be stopped, but it continues to grow giving more and more fruits.

OLD COVENANT TEMPLES:

In the Old Testament there were two temples. One was built by king Solomon and the other was built by king Herod. Solomon got the instruction from his father David, who in turn was directed by God to build the temple, to worship and to glorify Him. God Himself was present in the Holy of Holies where the Ark of the Covenant was also present, and from there God blessed Solomon and his people (Israel). But later on they became a sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward (Isa 1:4).

Now God had to leave the temple, and the Ark of the Covenant was also taken away before the temple itself was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC. This destruction signifies that the Most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands anymore (Act 7:48), and they themselves are the temples of God and the Spirit of God dwelleth in them (1Co 3:16), once they accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. Svetasvatara Upanishad 3:18 also says, it is He who resides in the body, the city of 9 gates. Contrarily, not only this man made temple worship system continues, but also the reverence for these temples is growing everyday, in every religion.

In addition, the Old Testament people were relatively illiterate, ignorant and above all the comforter (Holy Spirit) was not given to them. Hence, priests were appointed and made responsible for preserving and conducting all the affairs of the Temple, like offering sacrifices etc. They were even acting as agents between God and men in fulfilling their spiritual requirements.

It is the most abominable thing that the pastors, priests and mullahs are continuing to act as God’s intermediaries even today. 1Tim 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. In the present day church, the pastor conducts the worship service, collects offerings and gives benediction to the congregation. Similarly in a Hindu temple priests chant some Vedic mantras and blesses the gathering after collecting thakchana, and a mullah in a mosque preaches from Koran and after collecting gifts blesses the people and sends them away.

The second temple, built by Herod (a non-believer) was neither under the instruction from God, nor was there the presence of God either, and only a stone was kept in the Holy of Holies in place of the Ark of the Covenant. It was built only to glorify Herod himself and to establish his own name. This temple actually represents the present day religious system.

Where, most of the religious people around the world are still practicing their own traditional worship. Jesus Christ Himself preached in this temple on many occasions to try and correct the people, and went on to the extent of whipping them, but was crucified by the very same temple priests and worshipers, because they were unwilling to get rid of their traditions.

This is exactly the same situation even today in all the present day religions, where Jesus Christ is being crucified everyday, every hour and every minute because of the unwillingness of the priests, pastors, preachers and mullahs to give up building their own kingdoms. And those who have built already, are trying desperately to preserve the same, as it could be seen in 1 Kings 12:26-31, fearing that people might turn again to their Lord, king Jeroboam made two calves of gold and made Israel to worship, instead of allowing them to go to Jerusalem to worship their true God.

Mark 7:9, 13 And Jesus said unto them, full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition, making the word of God of none effect through your tradition. Jer 12:10-11; 23:1 Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness. Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the Lord. This present day church is exactly the Laodicean church in Rev 3:14-22, which is the only church of the seven in which the entire church will be spit out (rejected), because it is described as lukewarm, indifferent, not concerned with right and wrong, or with good and evil.

As it is written in Joel 2:31, the sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come. The sunlight (Gospel truth) is being blacked out during a total solar eclipse, when the moon (present day religious system) passes over the disk of the sun, and when the earth’s shadow passes over the moon a lunar eclipse occurs, the moon’s appearance becomes “as blood” because of the refraction of sunlight in the earth’s atmosphere (the filth of the present day religious people).

2Ti 4:3-4 says, for the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. These teachers are the locusts spoken of by Joel 2:3-5 and Rev 9:3-11, who keep their own traditions and reject the commandments of God, and as when there is a locust plague, huge numbers of locusts are involved, and vast quantities of crops (souls) are destroyed. Their appearances are like the army of horse and horsemen with the breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings are as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle; and their teeth were as the teeth of lions, and their tails are like unto scorpions, and their power was to drive men and women to hell.

Hence this present day religious system which is the antichrist or the abomination of desolation, will be thrown down like the second temple which was thrown down by Romans in 70 AD, as it was foretold by our Lord in Mat 24:2, “there shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down”, by the remnants which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ (Rev 12:17). Rev 12:11 And they overcame him (the dragon) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. These remnants are the women in travail of Rev 12:2, who ultimately bring forth (establish) the Kingdom of God and His Rule.

NEW COVENANT CHURCH:

When a child is born in to a family, the parents become the custodians, and are also responsible for the protection, comfort and wellbeing of the growing child. While the child is growing it is also sent to school and then to college, where it gets qualified and then made to settle. Similarly when we accept Jesus Christ as our Personal Savior, we become His children, and Christ hands us over to the church, and the church takes on the role of the foster parents, for their spiritual upbringing.

Hence this church will have, only these spiritually growing believers, and its responsibility is to protect, help and guide them to get the appropriate spiritual food from God, so that they grow spiritually and get spiritually matured to be handed over to the bridegroom who is none other than our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. These spiritually matured believers, not only become the brides of Christ, but also become His co-workers in gathering the souls for His Kingdom. Hence the church becomes a fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and streams from Lebanon (Song 4:15).

Ministers: All those who got spiritually matured can take on the role of ministers and shepherds in the church since they are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light (1Pe 2:9). Rev 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father. Mat 5:13-15 Ye are the salt of the earth to preserve it from putrefaction and destruction; and ye are the light of the world to illuminate the souls of men.

1Pe 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Eph 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord. Since the great sacrifice has been offered, and there is no expiation now to be made; it has become the primary responsibility of the New Testament believers to bring the souls and offer them as living sacrifices to the Most High God.

Mission: As everyone has got a longing to multiply and spread his or her own literal family, each and every believer should have the longing to multiply and spread his or her spiritual family. But Zec 4:6 says, not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. The work of grace on the soul is expressed by a regeneration, which is not of the will of man, nor of the will of the flesh, but of the Spirit of God (1Co 3:7). This great power of His Spirit can manifest through His children in establishing His Kingdom only when we keep His commandments.

Burden: Isaiah 6:9-10 God said, Go, and tell this people, hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. And make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. God repeats these words, in Jer 5:21, in Eze 12:2, in Mat 13:14, in Mar 4:12, in Luke 8:10, in John 12:40, in Acts 28:26-27 and in Romans 11:8, which shows His deepest concern for the souls of the people, and He expects the same to be ours also.

NEW COVENANT WORSHIP:

Worship consists of two parts. One part of it is praising God and the other part is doing what God’s Word says and not to get deceived by being listeners only (James 1:22). Rom 2:13 For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. To worship the Holy God in spirit and in truth with contrite heart, we should be worthy and wholly acceptable to Him. These worthy people can gather anytime, anywhere and any longer in any number to worship Him.

Worship in spirit is reverential or respectful to God. Psalms 89:7 God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him. Also worship in spirit is sincere and springs from a holy life. 1Pe 1:16 Because it is written, be ye holy; for I am holy. As the God who is the object of the Christian’s worship is perfectly holy, the character of His worshipers should also be holy. Heb 12:14 Without holiness no man shall see the Lord.

For if men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God (2Ti 3:2,4); then they are not spiritual but carnal and cannot worship God. 1 John 3:4, 9 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin.

In order for our worship to be in truth, it must be in harmony with His Holy Word. John 17:17, Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. This sanctification consists in their becoming more like God and less attached to the world; to see that life is short, that death is near; that the pride, pomp, pleasures, wealth, and honors of this world are of little value.

Exo 34:20 …And none shall appear before me empty. Deu 16:16 In the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: they shall not appear before the Lord empty. They will come with the offering of the souls which they have gathered unto His Kingdom. They will also share their revelations, their experiences, their burdens and will pray for each other and for the establishment of His Kingdom.

INDIVIDUAL COMMUNION WITH GOD:

Commune means to converse; to talk together familiarly; to impart sentiments mutually, in private. And there will I meet and commune with thee Exodus 25:22. While Jesus Christ was on this earth, either day or night He was in communion with God in person. Without this communion one can not live a christian life; which is in and through Jesus Christ who is the author and finisher of our faith.

Prayer: Prayer is to ask for the Giver of blessing Himself. For those who hunger and thirst after His righteousness, He reveals Himself to them. This revelation includes the abundance of His Love, His Power, His Mercy, His Grace, His Will, His Guidance and the Mysteries of the Bible. These revelations help us to live in Him and for His Glory.

Listening to God: In order to listen to God and to receive His instructions, we must have the longing to do His will. David was able to do it because he says in Psalm 40:8 “I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart”.

Meditating His Word: Mat 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread. In this verse Jesus taught us to pray for our daily spiritual food and not for the literal food. Mat 7:9-11 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Though this spiritual food is assured, we will have to earnestly beseech God, for it is hidden in the Bible and God’s children will be able to get it by waiting on Jesus Christ for a long time or even fast before we get it. Psalm 25:5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. John 6:27 Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you.

This spiritual food is called, the ‘nectar’ or ‘amruth (prasadam)’ in Hindu mythology and it is believed that, if any one drinks or eats will get eternity. Whereas the Hindu sages are meditating for years, for the purpose of realizing self, which is actually trying to get the spiritual being revived, which we know is possible only by accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior.

Interceding for the souls: Psalm 106:23 Therefore He said that He would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away His wrath, lest He should destroy them. This is that intercessory prayer which Moses, Jesus Christ and many other servants of God prayed for the sake of the multitudes of souls going astray from God.

NEW COVENANT OFFERINGS:

In the Old Testament, people were required to give very many offerings like sin offering, meat offering, first fruit offering, peace offering, thanksgiving offering, Sabbath offering, beginning of month offering, Passover offering, feast offering and for the morning and evening sacrifices in addition to tithes. And all their festivals were not a time of celebration, but were a time of remembrance, thanksgiving and a time of special offering.

But in the present day Church, only tithes is being insisted upon; because the sacrifices have been stopped. Hence most of the affluent christians spend the rest of their earnings towards entertainment, extravagant food and clothing etc., not knowing that the Lord is the fountain of goodness, and Father of mercies and all was owing to the goodness of God to them, and the efficacy of His grace upon them. 1Ch 29:14 For all things come of thee.

Furthermore Exodus 13:2 tells us, “Consecrate to me all the firstborn. Whatever is the first to open the womb among the people of Israel, both of man and of beast, is mine”. Num 8:17 “For all the firstborn among the people of Israel are mine, both of man and of beast. On the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I consecrated them for myself”.

This right to the first-born was that, God sanctified to Himself all the first-born of the Israelites from the stroke of the destroyer through the atoning blood of the paschal lamb because of their faith and obedience to His command. If it were to be the firstborn of clean creatures they were to be sacrificed, if unclean to be redeemed with a price, and the firstborn of men, because it was not lawful to sacrifice them; the money for the redemption of them was given to the priests and they became a living sacrifice to the Lord.

This sanctification of them to the Lord signifies the separation or devoting of the first born of their entire generations for the service of God. If it is so, then how much more it is necessary for all those who have been redeemed by the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, are to offer to God, who had sacrificed His own precious Son for the deliverance of their souls.

Hence we are liable to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice to His glorious service with all our time, all our energy, all our talents, all our earnings, all our gifts and all our belongings including our own life. This is the perfect offering which is expected from each and every one of His children.

John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

thewordoftruthministries@gmail.com

03 September, 2008

RELIGIOUS FACTS

RELIGIOUS FACTS

Mankind for ages have been believing in some supernatural power ruling this Universe; and they were also interested in knowing about this Power and its influence on themselves. This is the reason for the development of many different religions in the world. For example, the religions of ancient Egypt, the Babylonian’s, the Hittites, the cult of the sun god called Mithraism, Manichaeism (which saw life as a conflict of light and darkness), the beliefs of the ancient Greeks, the Romans, the Celts, the Scandinavians, the Tentons, the religions of the Incas, Mayas and Aztecs.

Asia is the birthplace for many more religions. In the Middle Eastern countries there were Egyptian, Babylonian, Roman and Greek religions in which many gods and goddesses were worshiped. In Palestine, there were the religions of Israel namely Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

The Indus valley religions are the Dravidian religion, Aryanism, Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism, the six fold religions of south India namely Saivaism, Vaishnavism, Gowmaram, Ganapathyam, Saktham and Sowram, and in some places traces of Zoroastrianism. It was when the white people who invaded India, they brought all these religions together and named it as Hinduism.

DOCTRINE OF TRINITY:

The doctrine of trinity was envisioned in different angles in Hinduism. When the trinity was explained as Father, Holy Spirit and Son in Christianity, some Indian Sages envisioned the Holy Spirit in a female form. According to this group, in a family, if there is a father and a son, naturally there would be a mother in between them. So, they envisioned the Holy Spirit as mother or Sakthi or Power and they explained the trinity as Appan (father), Ammai (mother) and Mahan (Son). They also explained Siva (which means love), Sakthi (power) and Kumarakkadavul (son of God) as Somaskanda. Somaskanda is a Sanskrit word (Sa+Uma+Skanda) which means God who is with Uma (Mother) and Skanda (Son). These are known as Saivaism and Saktham.

Immediately another school of thought emerged. According to it, since a virgin gave birth to a Son by the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit must be of male form, and he was envisioned as Vishnu. They explained all the three in the trinity (Father, Holy Spirit and the Son as Mummurthy or Thirumurthy) in male forms. This has developed into Vaishnavism.

While Saivism denoted Holy Spirit as Sakthi (female form); Vaishnavism denoted Holy Spirit as Vishnu (male form). The root word for Vishnu is Vinn. Vinn and Vaan refers to the sky or firmament. Trinity is explained in Vaishnavism as Siva, Vishnu and Brahma.

If the left half of Siva’s body is portrayed in female form (Sakthi), he is known as ‘Arthanarieswara’ and if the same left half of Siva’s body is portrayed in male form (Vishnu), he is known as ‘Harihara’. Since the left half of Siva’s body is portrayed in male as well as female form, it clearly shows that the left half of Siva’s body is the metaphorism of Holy Spirit in two different angles.

The Son of God is envisioned in four angles in Saivaism and Vaishnavism. The victory over Satan is explained in Kumarakkadavul (Son of God) concept; Death and resurrection is explained in Ganapathy concept; His power of creation is explained in Brahman (creator) concept; Seeing Son of God as the light of the world is explained in Aiyappa concept. People visit Sabarimalai to see light (Mahara Jyothi) in the Aiyappa worship.

Trinity in the Six Fold Religions: Out of the seven names mentioned above, six have developed into Six-Fold Religions. Saivaism (Father, Mother and Son), Saktham (Siva, Sakthi and Son), Gowmaram (Siva, Sakthi and Son as Murugan), Ganapathyam (Siva, Sakthi and Son as Ganapathy), Vaishnavism (Siva, Vishnu and Son as Brahma), Sowram (Siva, Vishnu and Son as Aiyappan). The Brahman concept has been corrupted by Aryanism.

Trinity in Judaism, Christianity and Buddhism: In Judaism (God, Spirit and the Word), in Christianity (Father, Holy Spirit and Son) and in Buddhism (Dharma Kaya, Samboga Kaya and Nirmana Kaya). These similarities have been one of the most consistent factors in human history, and as the Tamil Saint Thirumoolar says “One God and one humanity” may be God’s plan for mankind.

Every religion has its own distinct divine qualities. All religions firmly believe that their sacred scriptures are divinely inspired and have come directly from the Supreme Being. It can also be seen that, most of their traditions, customs, beliefs, practices, conventions, rituals, observances, habits, institutions, usages and praxis are similar in spite of the large socio economic disparities between the developed and the under developed countries across the world.

The Bible consists of both Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament, which was written before Christ, contains commandments, laws, rituals, religious practices and festivals. In addition, the Jewish people were following some traditions, which were passed down through Abraham’s descendents. We may be surprised to know, that most of these Old Testament rituals and Hebrew traditions are being practiced meticulously by many people even today.

PLACES OF WORSHIP:

In the beginning, God allowed mankind to build altars for offering sacrifices. Noah and his descendent Abraham and his descendent Isaac, all had built altars to God. Gen 21:33 even Abraham planted a grove in Beer-Sheba, and called there on the name of the Lord, the everlasting God. In the midst of it Abraham built an altar, and sacrificed to the Lord. These very same practices are being followed in India even today.

While on a journey, Jacob slept for the night by keeping a stone as a pillow and dreamt, seeing angels of God ascending and descending on a ladder set between earth and heaven, and the Lord stood above it and blessed him. Next morning he took the stone, set it up as a pillar, poured oil over it, and named it as Bethel (house of God). This is not new to East Asian countries like India. In India everywhere people can find a stone big or small anointed with oil all over, and it serves as temple for them and they call it Shivalinga.

Exodus 24:17 The appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. This is the sight that every one in our country is eagerly awaiting to see, on fourteenth of January every year on the hills of Guruvayur.

God told Moses how to build a tabernacle for Him. The design was from God. God’s temple cannot be built by the intellectual capacity of man. God himself is the designer and architect for His own temple.

During King Solomon’s time, God commanded him to make a temple in Jerusalem. Both the tabernacle and the temple of God had a courtyard, holy place and most holy place. Only the high priest was allowed to enter into the most holy place. In front of the Holy place was an altar for burnt offering, and a water tub. A pillar was in front of the altar for the purpose of tying the sacrificial animal before it was actually sacrificed. Inside the Holy place on the left was the lamp stand and on the right a table with bread and then there was the incense altar and the covenant. Likewise in every Hindu temple whether big or small there is always a pillar and then an altar and the court yard, holy place and most holy place. And again only the high priest is permitted to enter the most holy place. Almost item for item the same.

In the Bible, all the dimensions (1King 6:2-3) for the house that King Solomon built for the Lord, including the type of windows of narrow lights (1 Kings 6:4) were specified by God. 6:5 against the wall of the house he built chambers round about, both of the temple and of the oracle; and he made chambers round about. 6:8 the door for the middle chamber was in the right side of the house: and they went up with winding stairs into the middle chamber and out of the middle into the third. In Hindu temples, the same can be found in the towers of the temple. The steps are on the right side and the winding stairs are there up to the third chamber. The windows are narrow and in large Hindu temples, there are chambers round about the walls of the temples.

1 King 6:18 the cedar of the house within was carved with knops and open flowers. All works in Hindu temples are carved with beautiful flowers and pictures. 6:22 the whole house he overlaid with gold…the whole altar he overlaid with gold. Almost all rich Hindu temples have golden altars and coverings. 6:29 all the wall of the house were carved with figures of cherubim and palm trees and open flowers within and without. Every Hindu temple has carvings all over the walls with cherubim in Indian style.

1 King 6:31-35 for the entrance of the oracle he made doors and doorposts of olive wood with carvings of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers. He overlaid them with gold and spread gold on the cherubim and on the palm trees. The two leaves of the one door were folding, and the two leaves of the other door were folding. On them, he carved cherubim and palm trees and open flowers, and he overlaid them with gold evenly applied on the carved work. Similarly, the oracles of all Hindu temples have fully carved double doors.

RELIGIOUS PRACTICES:

Vow: Num 6:2-8 “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, when either a man or a woman makes a special vow, the vow of a Nazarite, to separate himself to the Lord, he shall separate himself from wine and strong drink. All the days of his vow of separation, no razor shall touch his head. Until the time is completed for which he separates himself to the Lord, he shall be holy. He shall let the locks of hair of his head grow long. All the days that he separates himself to the Lord he shall not go near a dead body. At the end of vow the Nazarenes shall shave the head at the door of the tabernacle (Temple) of the congregation, and shall take the hair of the head of his separation, and put it in the fire which is under the sacrifice of the peace offerings”. People from our country follow the same type of rules and regulations during their period of vow.

Enquiring the Priest: Judges 18:4-5 And he said to them, “This is how Micah dealt with me: he has hired me, and I have become his priest”. And they said to him, “Inquire of God, please, that we may know whether the journey on which we are setting out will succeed”. In the same way the people of our country enquire from the priests, when they are required to take some major decisions in their life.

Trishool: 1Samuel 2:13-14 The custom of the priests with the people was that when any man offered sacrifice, the priest’s servant would come, while the meat was boiling, with a three-pronged fork in his hand, and he would thrust it into the pan or kettle or cauldron or pot. All that the fork brought up the priest would take for himself. This very same three-pronged fork was also used for the purpose of positioning the sacrificed cow upside down on the altar for the burnt offering. In India, ever since the sacrifices have been stopped, the meat fork with three-headed spear is kept erected near the altar in front of the temple. This has now become “Trishool”.

Threshold: 1Samuel 5:1-5 When the Philistines captured the Ark of God, they brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod into the house of Dagon (Deity of the Philistines) and set it up beside Dagon. And when the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, behold, Dagon had fallen face downward on the ground before the Ark of the Lord. So they took Dagon and put him back in his place. But when they rose early on the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen face downward on the ground before the Ark of the Lord, and the head of Dagon and both his hands were lying cut off on the threshold. Only the trunk of Dagon was left to him. That is why the priests of Dagon and all who enter the house of Dagon do not tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day. This very same practice exists in our country also.

Trespass offerings: For having captured and brought the Ark of God into their country, the Philistines were smitten with tumors and their land was ravaged by mice. 1Samuel 6:4-5 And they said, “What is the guilt offering that we shall return to him?” They answered, “Five golden tumors and five golden mice, according to the number of the lords of the Philistines, for the same plague was on all of you and on your lords. So you must make images of your tumors and images of your mice that ravage the land, and give glory to the God of Israel. We can see this type of guilt or trespass offerings being made in our country also.

Thanksgiving: Lev 7:12-13 If he offer it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the sacrifice of thanksgiving unleavened cakes mingled with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and cakes mingled with oil, of fine flour, fried. Besides the cakes, he shall offer for his offering leavened bread with the sacrifice of thanksgiving of his peace offerings. In thankfulness for some special mercy received, such as recovery from sickness, preservation in a journey, deliverance at sea, redemption out of captivity etc. Similar offerings are made by Indian people even when they make any special eatables in their homes.

Temple on high Places: Ezekiel 20:40 “For on my holy mountain, the mountain height of Israel, declares the Lord God, there all the house of Israel, all of them, shall serve me in the land. There I will accept them, and there I will require your contributions and the choicest of your gifts, with all your sacred offerings. Micah 4:1 It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and it shall be lifted up above the hills; and peoples shall flow to it. 1King 14:23 For they also built for themselves high places and pillars and Asherim on every high hill and under every green tree. Similarly all over this country people build temples on the mountain tops and under big trees.

Lamp Stand: Exodus 25:31 “You shall make a menorah of pure gold. Of hammered work shall the menorah be made, even its base, its shaft, its cups, its buds, and its flowers, shall be of one piece with it. Zechariah 4:2 And he said to me, “What do you see?” I said, “I see, and behold, a lamp stand all of gold, with a bowl on the top of it, and seven lamps on it, with seven lips on each of the lamps that are on the top of it. Zechariah 4:10 “These seven are the eyes of the Lord, which range through the whole earth”. This type of lamp stands are a must in every Indian homes as well as temples.

Incense: Exo 40:5 And you shall put the golden altar for incense before the ark of the testimony, and set up the screen for the door of the tabernacle. Exo 40:27 and burned fragrant incense on it, as the Lord had commanded Moses. Lev 16:13 and put the incense on the fire before the Lord, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is over the testimony. Burning incense and putting curtains are a common sight in India.

Animal Sacrifice: The Satpatha Bramana written during the second part of the Vedic age is one of the important scriptures. It holds an authentic part of the Veda by various Sutras (doctrines). This Bramana is closely related to Yazur Veda. Yazur Veda deals with sacrifice (Yagna) describing in detail the ritual and actual killing of animals especially the Aswa (horse) sacrifice. The great Shankara and Ramanuja recognize the practice of animal sacrifice.

Mahavir Jain preached against God and sacrifices. He started questioning, “why should an animal be killed in the name of God”. Many people followed him and thus Jainism came in to existence. Siddhartha was a prince near Nepal. One day, he saw an old man, a dead body and a sick man. This made him to think about his life after death. He went away from the palace leaving his wife and child in search of truth and peace. He followed the teachings of Mahavir. He became Gowthama Buddha. Gowthama is his race and Buddha means teacher. During this time except for Chera, Chola and Pandya Kingdoms, India became a Buddhist country.

Exodus 29:36 and every day you shall offer a bull as a sin offering for atonement. Also you shall purify the altar, when you make atonement for it, and shall anoint it to consecrate it. In the Old Testament Bible, God wanted the people to make burnt offerings, meat offerings, sin offerings, trespass offerings, peace offerings, food offerings, consecration offerings and so on. The same God told the people that He is not hungry of such food and that he will not eat the flesh of the bull and drink the blood of goats Psalms 50:8-13. Again, in the book of Isaiah God says that He is not delighted in the blood of bullocks or of lambs or of the goats, and they should not come before Him with such offerings Isaiah 1:11,12.

It appears strange but actually God wanted to make people understand that all animal sacrifices are just shadows for the real sacrifice of God Hebrews 8:5;9:23;10:1. The Satpatha Bramana says: “Yagnova avati tasya cchaya kriyate”, which means all animal sacrifices, are shadows.

Viboothi: In the Bible, God told Moses to bring a red heifer without spot and kill it as a sacrifice for the Lord. Her skin, her flesh, blood and dung shall be burnt. This ash will be mixed with water and will be sprinkled on the body of the people, for the purpose of purification from their sins Num 19.

During the Vedic period, three different sacrifices were in practice. 1. Nara (human) medhya (body) yagna (sacrifice), 2. Ko (cow) medhya yagna, 3. Aswa (horse) medhya yagna. For Ko medhya yagna, the cow should be a red one. Even today, if a Brahmin wants to do some ceremonial duty in his house, he will look for a red cow and do pooja before it. The sacrificial cow has now become a sacred cow, because cow is no longer sacrificed by law. Therefore, people burn only the cow’s dung and they collect these ashes and mix it with water and apply it on their body or generally on their forehead as “Viboothi”.

Passover: Exodus 12:7 “Then they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it”. Exodus 12:12-13 “For I will go through the land of Egypt in that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and animal. Against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the Lord. The blood shall be to you for a token on the houses where you are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and there shall no plague be on you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt”.

To deliver the people of Israel from the bondage of Egyptians who were refusing to let them go, on the day of Passover, God instructed Moses to mark the main doors and the top and the two side posts of every Israelites houses with the blood of the lamb, which was to be sacrificed by each family. These very same markings with the red powder can be seen in every Indian house even today, hoping that death will pass over their houses.

Bronze vessels: In addition, to collect and store these ashes, several types of vessels were used. In the Bible the Lord told, “you shall make its pans to receive its ashes, and its shovels and its basins and its forks and its fire pans; you shall make all its utensils of bronze” Ex. 27:3. Similarly in the Indian temples also, all these vessels are made out of bronze.

Scape Goat: Lev 16:7-9 Then he shall take the two goats and set them before the Lord at the entrance of the tent of meeting. And Aaron (Priest) shall cast lots over the two goats, one lot for the Lord and the other lot for Azazel. And Aaron shall present the goat on which the lot fell for the Lord and use it as a sin offering, Lev 16:21-22 And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness: And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness.

This Azazel is the name of a place some 12 miles east of Jerusalem, in the wilderness. The form of this word indicates intensity, and therefore signifies the total separation of sin: it was wholly carried away. These goats are the ones found in the forests even now.

Garments for the Priest while offering sacrifices: He should have his undergarments from the waist to the knee while offering sacrifices to the Lord. The priest should mention the name of the family and then sacrifice. He should wear an engraved plate on his turban saying, “Holy to the Lord” Ex 28:31-43. Similarly, the Indian priests also wear a piece of cloth from their hip to the knee over their clothing. When the people bring their offerings to God, he always asks them on whose name should it be offered.

Garments for the Priest during Worship: Lev16:4 Aaron the high priest shall put on the holy linen coat and shall have the linen undergarment on his body, and he shall tie the linen sash around his waist, and wear the linen turban; these are the holy garments. He shall put them on after bathing. Lev 8:7-9 And Moses put the coat on Aaron and tied the sash around his waist and clothed him with the robe and put the ephod on him and tied the skillfully woven band of the ephod around him, binding it to him with the band. And he placed the breastpiece on him, and in the breastpiece he put the Urim and the Thummim. And he set the turban on his head, and on the turban, in front, he set the golden plate and the holy crown. Almost similar dressing is followed by Hindu chief priests as well.

Ringing the Bell: In the Bible, the priest, should be wearing the robe with golden bells so that, its sound shall be heard as he enters the holy place to minister the Lord and comes out of it. In the Indian temples also, when the priest goes inside the holy of the holiest place for prayer, he makes the noise of the bell and comes out with the noise of the bell.

Ever Burning Lamp: Lev 24:2 Command the children of Israel, that they bring unto thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamps to burn continually. Lev 24:4 He shall order the lamps upon the pure candlestick before the Lord continually. As it is required by the Bible that a lamp shall burn continually before the Lord, we see in the Indian temples also a lamp kept burning all the time.

Offer with Salt: Lev 2:13 You shall season all your grain offerings with salt. You shall not let the salt of the covenant with your God be missing from your grain offering; with all your offerings you shall offer salt. Because of the commandment that every food offering shall be seasoned with salt, it has become a practice to keep salt first at the time of feast.

Holy Ground: An angel of the Lord appeared to Moses in a burning bush which was not being consumed on the mount Horeb. When Moses wanted to go near and see why the bush is not burned, God commands Moses, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground” Exo 3:5. The reverence due to holy places thus rests upon God’s own command. The custom itself is well known from the observances of the temple, it was almost universally adopted by the ancients, and is retained in the East.

Kumba Melas: The ritual of dipping in holy rivers by devote Hindus in our country is done with the hope of cleansing oneself from his or her sins. This has been the practice in the bible and it is known as water baptism. Mat 3:6 And they were baptized by John the Baptist in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Mar 1:4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. They were to repent, and be baptized in reference to the remission of sins. Repentance prepared the soul for it, and Baptism was the type or pledge of it.

SOCIAL PRACTICES:

Drunkenness: Lev 10:9 “Drink neither wine nor strong drink, you nor your sons with you, when you go into the tabernacle of the congregation that you don’t die: it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations”. Most of the educated and the uneducated Hindus do not drink nor smoke when they go to temple. Even an alcoholic will stay away from alcohol if his family goes to the temple.

Menstrual impurity: Lev 15:19-20 “When a woman has a discharge, and the discharge in her body is blood, she shall be in her menstrual impurity for seven days. Hindu women sit outside the house during their menstruation period at least for three days.

Virgin bride: Lev 21:13 you shall take a wife in her virginity. In India whether Hindus, Muslims or Christians they would like to marry a virgin only. If a young girl looses her virginity she will not be married by anyone. Even after the marriage if the husband finds his wife lost her virginity, he would not like to live with her anymore. This culture is from the Jewish religion.

Law: Lev 24:17 And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death. Num 35:30 “If anyone kills a person, the murderer shall be put to death on the evidence of witnesses. But no person shall be put to death on the testimony of one witness. This is followed almost in every country.

Holiday: Exo 31:15 Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the Lord. Sunday is being observed as weekly holiday throughout the world based on this bible principle only.

Ornaments and Dresses: Isaiah 3:18-24 ornaments about their feet, and their cauls, and their round tires like the moon, the chains, and the bracelets, and the mufflers, the bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the earrings, the rings, an nose jewels, the changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the wimples, and the crisping pins, The glasses, and the fine linen, and the hoods, and the veils. Women in our country are crazy for jewelry, ornaments and dresses and we see the Indian women wear all the above type of ornaments and fashionable dresses.

Inheritance: 1King 21:1-3 Ahab king of Samaria wanted to purchase the vineyard belonging to Noboth, But Naboth said to Ahab “The Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.” Num 36:7 The inheritance of the people of Israel shall not be transferred from one tribe to another, for every one of the people of Israel shall hold on to the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers.

Naboth would gladly oblige the king, but he must obey God rather than men. He looked upon his earthly inheritance as an earnest of his lot in the heavenly Canaan, and it is for the same reason in our country also, people would not give up their inherited property so easily.

Pandals: Leviticus 23:40 And you shall take on the first day the fruit of splendid trees, branches of palm trees and boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God seven days. Nehemiah 8:15 and that they should proclaim it and publish it in all their towns and in Jerusalem, “Go out to the hills and bring branches of olive, wild olive, myrtle, palm, and other leafy trees to make booths, as it is written.” In India also, during festivals, marriages and other functions we can see arches, pandals made out of different type of tree leaves as a mark of happiness. Sometimes a mourning arch with willow leaves is made to grieve for the loss of a loved ones also.

Rings, Bindu and Thayathu: Exodus 13:8-10 You shall tell your son on that day, ‘It is because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt.’ And it shall be to you as a sign on your hand and as a memorial between your eyes that the law of the Lord may be in your mouth. Deuteronomy 11:18 “You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. Pro 7:3 bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. This is what we see as rings in the fingers, thayathu in the hands and as round marks in between the eyes of the Indians.

Washing the feet: John 13:5 Then Jesus poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. Since it was the work of a servant to wash his master’s feet, Peter, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” for which Jesus answers, John 13:14 if I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. This is being practiced in our country, whenever a priest or a Mahaan visits our house, as a mark of respect.

FESTIVALS:

The Jews have many festivals to celebrate. The harvest festival, festival of atonement and festival of light are some examples. Indian Hindus celebrate such festivals too.

The festival of Sivarathri is celebrated by keeping a vigil throughout that night to thank god who had saved a hunter, who lost his way in the jungle. The Bible says that the Lord kept a vigil on the day of Passover and delivered the people of Israel from Egypt. In remembrance of this day and to honor their Lord, the Israelites in turn keep a vigil on this night every year.

Sukkoth (feast of tabernacle/booths) “pilgrimage festival” with mass pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem, commemorating the Exodus from Egypt. Tents/Booths made out of different type of tree leaves were constructed to remind Israelites of the life in wilderness. Yam Kippur (day of atonement), when they offer sacrifices for sins of the nation. Similarly every family in India undertake a pilgrimage to their family god or goddesses once in a year and make tents made out of leaves and fulfill all the rituals including sacrifices to please their deities.

Hanukkah is the festival of lights celebrated for eight days, one lamp on the first day, two on the second, and so on - in commemoration of the triumph of the Jews over the Greek rulers in 164 BC, and the miracle of the flask of oil, when a portion of sacramental olive oil meant to keep the Temple candelabrum lit for one day lasted for eight days, the time it took for the Temple to be rededicated. Similar festival is celebrated in India as Deepavali.

Singular Divine Savior:

Thus, one can see easily, that there are lots of identical traditions, customs, rituals and beliefs in both Old Testament Christians and Indians. This might have been due to the invasion of the displaced migrants from the land of Palestine to India, because of the resettlement of Jews permitted during the time of Cyrus the King of Persia in 536 BC. Above all, it appears that God does have a singular plan that unifies different cultures and fulfills the promises, which He has made known to diverse people, having heard the cry of every sincere seeker throughout the ages. Even cultures separated by huge passages of time, share common revelations about God and His singular plan for the salvation of mankind. The most common repetitive themes are monotheism, the effects of sin, and the concept of a singular divine Savior.

Religion and spirituality are distinctive. Research on Soul and spiritual happiness are the aims of spirituality. The persons responsible for the formation of world religions such as Buddha, Mahavir, Jesus Christ, Prophet Mohammed were all expounders of Spirituality and were against religions. Therefore they were persecuted by religionists. Jesus Christ was the most persecuted among all. He was murdered. Not an ordinary murder but He was tortured and killed. The instrument used for that purpose was the cross.

The words which proceeded from His mouth while He hung on the cross declare Him as an epitome of spirituality and as a Spiritual leader and the revealer of spirituality to the world. Therefore his spiritual teachings are widely followed in all countries of the world. The good news about Him happens to be an exemplification of what true spirituality is.

TRUE SPIRITUALITY:

What are the true spiritual perceptions he revealed on the cross? At the height of his physical suffering, his Divine love prevails. He does not fear those who kill his body; he pities them and prays for them. The common human temperament is to think of persecuting in return for persecution. The state of doing evil to those who did good is different. It can be enumerated as a demonic state. Good human state is not to repay evil in return for those who did evil. It is related to a divine state.

Jesus Christ revealed that divine state on the cross. Rig Veda 5.46.1 says, “Like a horse I have yoked myself, well knowing to the pole. I seek neither release nor turning back”. Isaiah 53:7 “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.”

1Peter 2:23 when he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to the Father who judges justly. He makes efforts to comprehend them even though they schemed, conspired and hung him in that torturous killing instrument. He grieves for those who persecute him as they are unable to perceive that which must be perceived. He is most concerned that no evil must befall on those who do evil out of ignorance.

This concern is the concern of spirituality. It is here that revelation of spirituality originates. No spiritual leader desires the destruction of any soul. There arises a state where spiritual leaders are bound to save the souls from destruction. The very words of Jesus Christ on the cross reveals to us the fulfillment of that responsibility. “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” These words which reveals Jesus Christ as the spiritual leader have penetrated the hearts of many in the world and that has cleansed their hearts and is a medicine that heals and make them pure.

Spiritual truths are different from the religion that supports those truths; and religion is different from religious fanaticism which is perceived as safeguarding the religion. Hence Spiritual truth, Religion and Fanaticism are distinct from each other. To comprehend these spiritual truths one need to have the spiritual eye or the third eye opened. Fanaticism shuts up this third eye. Therefore Religious Fanaticism is contrary to spiritual truth; Spiritual truths exist in all the world religions. Spiritual truths are related to soul and God. God is common to all men and universal to all religions.

Saying that he belongs only to a particular religion is a statement of those who are ignorant of spiritual truths. Because, we have already seen that spiritual truths and religion are distinctive. Therefore there arises a difference between those who reveal spiritual truths and those who follow religion. Religious extremists begin to deplore those who reveal spiritual truths. Hatred turns to hostility and hostility to violence. Fanaticism murders spiritualists.

Jesus Christ and all His original disciples, except for John, who revealed divine spiritual truths were murdered. Even today, many are being martyred for teaching the truth of God’s incredible purpose. 1Co 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory.

In the name of Jesus Christ who divulged spiritual truths, a group evolved and that group transfigured into a religion. The divine spiritual truths which were expounded by Jesus Christ are being slammered in Christian religion. Like all religions, Christianity also has become one among the existing religions.

Christian religion is claimed of not only possessing the divine spiritual truths of Jesus Christ but also as one which directs all men to attain spiritual liberation or salvation. If the question is asked whether the spiritual truths of Jesus Christ and the examples set forth by the Christian religion deserve this claim, the answer is no. Then it becomes obvious that Christ and Christian religion are distinctive.

There are no divisions in Christ. But there are divisions in Christian religion. When we take a deep look at the religious denominations and view it in spiritual luminance history reveals us that all these divisions were formed as a result of departing from spirituality. These religious denominations not only have their own religious doctrines but also have different traditions, beliefs and customs resulting in detest and hostility towards each other.

Therefore a person following Christ is distinctive from that following Christian religion. Following a religious denomination is still different. God is common to all people in this world. Jesus Christ, son of God is also common to all mankind. The spiritual emancipation of Jesus Christ is universal and essential to all men of the world. But, Christianity is suffering because of being entangled in racial, lingual, cultural, national, religious and denominational fanaticism.

Spiritual warriors like Paul Yanke Chow who was instrumental in transforming his people for Christ are now desired. These spiritual warriors are to be free from religious bindings. Let God awaken spiritual warriors. Once when the missionary E. Stanley Jones met with Gandhiji and asked him, “Mr. Gandhi, though you quote the words of Christ often, why is that you appear so adamantly reject becoming his follower?” Gandhiji replied, “Oh, I don’t reject your Christ. I love your Christ. It’s just that so many of you Christians are so unlike your Christ. If Christians follow the Christianity of Christ, the whole world would have become Christians.”

GOD’S PLAN FOR INDIA:

This country is a land of special blessing by God with all the natural resources like forests, rivers, full of rich minerals with hills and valleys with all the four seasons bringing bountiful harvests of fruits, vegetables and grains. In addition, it is covered by a long coastline, with bountiful sea wealth. Above all, most of us in this country are very simple, innocent, pious, god fearing, loving and may be gullible people.

Inspite of all these, it will be shocking to know that more than fifty percent of our people are living in abject poverty without sufficient food, without proper clothing, without proper shelter, without proper job, sick and disabled not being cared for. If we earnestly try and analyze the reasons for these predicaments, we might be led to believe that, it is due to our social evils like caste system or the epidemic like corruption etc. Actually, the root cause is found in, Isaiah 42:8, I am the Lord: Jehovah is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. We must dread to touch God’s glory. Our God is a jealous God and He will not share His glory, not even a small percentage of it with another.

Exo 20:3-5 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me.

Jehovah, a name expressive of his self-existence, eternity, and immutability; a name by which He made Himself known to Israel of old, and which is peculiar to Him, and does not belong to another, and so distinguishes Himself from all other gods. I am the first and I am the last. Isaiah 48:13 My hand laid the foundation of the earth, and My right hand spread out the heavens; when I call to them, they stand forth together. John 5:23 That all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that honoreth not the Son honoreth not the Father which hath sent him.

Isaiah 9:2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. Isaiah 42:22 But this is a people plundered and looted; they are all of them trapped in holes and hidden in prisons; they have become plunder with none to rescue, spoil with none to say, “Restore!” Heb 1:3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. A light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

Jesus says, “the Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound. Heb 2:15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. Act 26:18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me”.

Isaiah 49:9-10 saying to those who are bound, Go forth; to those who are in darkness, Show yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and on all bare heights shall be their pasture. They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun strike them: for he who has mercy on them will lead them, even by springs of water he will guide them. Eph 1:17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him. Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

John 8:32 “Know ye the truth and the truth shall set you free“. If we understand and experience this truth, we will really be free indeed. John 10:9-11, I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Jesus declared that, “I and my Father are one, and I am the Way, I am the Truth, I am the Life, and no one comes to the Father except through me”. He is the sole manifestation of God in this earth which the ancient sages were longing to see. The very fact that the Jews crucified Him was because, He claimed Himself to be God. But the fact that He rose again on the third day after His crucifixion goes a long way to prove His claim, not to mention the number of recorded miracles He performed which are all historical facts. John 3:16 “For God so loved the people of this world that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life”. It is a profound plan that everyone in this country can own and enjoy for eternity.

25 August, 2008

BACK TO VEDAS

BACK TO VEDAS

All true seekers of God will desire for truth and welcome truth that leads them to the Living, Loving, Almighty and the All-powerful Creator. It is not just about religions, or sects, or faiths, nor is it a mere collection of some facts, but it is the driving force behind all sincere seekers to the ultimate hope of experiencing God.

It is in this pursuit that men for ages have been looking towards nature, ancestors, heroes and even to unknown spirits for help. In the course of time, they started worshiping them as well. It is this longing that resulted in the birth of Vedas.

VEDAS:

Veda means, sacred spiritual knowledge. This knowledge was obtained through dedication, devotion and meditation, by several hundred Sages for years. It was orally handed down from generation to generation and compiled to book form over a period of time.

These scriptures are divided into two parts. One is Shruti (which is revealed) and the other one is Smruti (which is believed). Shruti contains Vedas (which gives light or knowledge); Smruti contains Ithihasas (parables like Maha Bharat, Ramayan and Bhagavat Gita) and Puranas (fairy tales like stories which were written to help the common people to understand the Vedas).

There are four classes of Vedas. 1. The Samhitaas or Mantras. These are collection of hymns, prayers, charms, litanies and sacrificial formulas. 2. The Aagamas- commandments. 3. The Bhramanas. These are massive prose of text which contains the meanings of the hymns. It gives precepts for their application, relates stories of their origin in connection with that of social rites, and explains the secret meanings of the later. 4. The Aranyakas and Upanishads. They embody philosophical meditations of the hermits and ascetics on soul, god, world and man.

Again the Samhitaas are of four different types. The first one is the Rig Veda Samhitaa (which is a collection of Hymns). The second one is the Yazur Veda Samhitaa (The white Yazur Veda contains hymns of prayer and sacrificial formulas. The Black Yazur Veda consists of texts that were to be recited by the Atharva priests in connection with the more important sacrifices). The third one is the Sama Veda Samhitaa (These are mostly melodies and are responsible for the development of Indian music). The fourth one is the Atharva Veda Samhitaa (It deals mostly with charms, magics and spells which are believed to be used to overcome enemies, win over friends and gain worldly success).

There are many other holy writings such as Vedangas, and Upa Vedas. These are necessary for reading and understanding the Vedas for the purpose of offering sacrifices. There are six subjects in Vedanga Sutras: They are namely Siksha (pronunciation), Chandas (metier), Vyakarana (grammar), Nirukta (explanation of words), Jyothisha (astronomy) and Kalpa (ceremonial).

The first two are for reading and the second two, for understanding and the last two, for employing it during sacrifices. Upa Vedas are equivalent to Vedangas. It deals with Yazur Veda (medical science), Dhanur Veda (military science), Gandharva Veda (Music and art), architecture and various other subjects.

GODS IN VEDA:

Vedas begin with the worship of gods of nature, namely;

1) The terrestrial gods- Prithvi (earth), Agni (fire), Bruhaspati and Soma (plants).

2) The atmospheric gods- Indra, Rudra, Maruts, Vayu and Parjanya (storm, thunder and rain).

3) The celestial gods- Dyaus (heaven), Varuna, Ushas & Asvins (twilight morning stars)

and Surya, Mitra, Savitri, Ka, Vishnu (all associated with the sun).

As we have already seen, these gods were the result of man’s search for the truth, which finally culminated in the Purusha Prajapathi (Praja=people and pathi=Lord), the Creator. The Katha Upanishad 3:11 says, avvyakthath purusha parah purushanna param kinchith sa kastha sa paragathi, which means that there is none superior to this Purusha and He is the paragathi (Only way to moksha). The Purusha in the Purusha Shuktam of the Rig Veda is called the Param Purusha that means the one and the only Supreme Being and He is the Lord of immortality.

The 10th mandala of Rig Veda chapter 121 verse 10 says, Prajapathi Lord of life, Lord of Creatures and Lord of Creations. This understanding of the Creator, made man to cry unto Him, as it is written in Bhruhat Aranyaka Upanishad (1.3.28) saying, Asatoma sat gamaya, Tamasoma Jyothir gamaya, Mruthyoma amrutham gamaya which means, from untruth lead me to truth, from darkness lead me to light, from death lead me to eternal life.

Deliverance from untruth, darkness and death is the basic need of every person. The sages in the past testify that they were living in the shadow of vanity, darkness and death. They were seeking truth, light and eternal life, knowing fully well that they were mortals and the immortal gifts were beyond their reach; but they were also aware, that the Prajapathi or the Creator will have to help them to attain their goal.

REALIZATION OF SIN:

After having reached this stage of knowing the truth, the next step is obviously to follow the truth, which will ultimately help mankind to attain mukti. It is at this stage, that man comes across the major hurdle, which is very well described in Prartha Snana Mantra,

Papokam, papa kanmokam, papathma papa sambhava;

thrahimam pundarikaksha sarva papa hari hare...

which means, I am born in sin, doer of sin, and a sinful self; I am the worst of all sinners, Lord save me from all sins. Why sin is a hurdle? Because, it is an offense against God or society (Rig Veda 7.86.3). Sin is something done against brother, friend, neighbor or stranger (5.85.7,8). Even sleep does not remove evil doings (7.86.2-7). Even though I am in the midst of waters, I am thirsty forever. Be kind and grant me rest (7.89.4). Atharva Veda (6.45.1a) says: “O, sin in my mind why do you give me evil counsel? Get away, I do not desire you”. Sin has many names in Sanskrit Scriptures namely pap (sin), aagg (fire), dushkrit (evil deeds), thamas (darkness), prakrit (inborn nature), asathya (untruth) etc.

The Bruhat Aranyaka Upanishad (4.3.8) says, that the Jeeva (soul) acquires evil, right at the birth. Rog Sog Dhuk Paritab Bhandan Vyasnanicha, Aatma aparatha Vrukshanam phalarh edhani dehinam (Mithralab 42), which means, what are the fruits of this sinful tree which is our body? Sickness, sorrow, pain, bondage and many other kinds of sins. No man is free from this bondage of sin. Gita confirms that all created beings on earth are under the bondage of sin and death(Gita 3:27,18:40).

In the Bhagavat Gita, the disciple Arjun asks his Guru Krishna:

Atha kena prayukto yam papam carati purusha anichanapi varsaneya baladiva niyojitha

What is that, O scion of the varsni race; how does a man is prompted and forced to live a sinful life even against his will? Krishna answers him saying:

Kama esa krodha esa rajoguna samudhbhavah maha sanao maha papma vidhi enam iha vairinam. It is the insatiable lust and anger born of rajoguna prompting man to great sin. Know this to be the enemy of spiritual life (B. Gita 3:36,37).

HOW TO GET RID OF THIS BONDAGE:

Man out of his own wisdom and knowledge invented many ways such as Karma marga (way of works), Gnana marga (way of knowledge), Yoga marga (way of concentrating mind) and Bhakti marga (way of devotion), to get themselves freed from this bondage of sin.

Karma Marga: There is a general belief that sickness, sorrow, pain, bondages, afflictions and poverty, are all because of Poorva genma karma (deeds of the past life). When the cause for any of these evils are not readily understood it is always attributed to karma.

The word karma means several things. (a) It may mean the deed or deeds of the individual human being. These deeds are (i) Satvik - virtuous, (ii) Rajasik - pride, (iii) Tamasik - evil. These three are known as Triguna or triple nature. (b) It may mean the cycle of karma, karma samsara or karma chakra. (c) It may also mean karma yoga or nishkama a deed or deeds done without any desire for reward.

An individual’s karma can be classified as follows:

a) Sanchit karma - the accumulated deeds of all previous births, which gets attached

to the soul automatically at the time of each birth, in the rebirth cycle.

b) Kriyamana karma - good or bad deeds that the soul may further accumulate.

c) Prarabdha karma - deeds which decides the destiny of the soul.

The sole purpose of this rebirth cycle is that, each birth may reap the good or bad of all his or her karma of the past and present. As per this doctrine, no one can ever know about his or her accumulated deeds, thereby not having any opportunity to correct his or her past, resulting in a hopeless uncertainty. In other words, karma is being stamped on the forehead of every human being, and the destiny of the soul is ceaselessly determined without the control of the individual. Thus the doctrine of karma becomes the dead end for any soul that desires liberation from spiritual bondage. This has made Shri Shankaracharya to lament in Bajagovindam,

Punarapi janana punarapi marana; Punarapi janani jadarey sayana;

Ih sansarey wah dustarey; Krupya parey pahi muararey,

which means, repeated birth, repeated death, and repeated lying in mother’s womb, is a difficult process to go through. Oh destroyer of death, save me by your grace.

Regarding this a Poet laments, “How many births have I taken, I do not know, nor do I know how many more are yet to be taken, but one thing I know for certain is that the pain and suffering follows all the way”. And rebirth is always an abode of sorrow (B.G 2.50;5.15).

Gnana Marga: Regarding Gnana marga, the Vedas and Upanishads say, that we have to know the Purusha (for He is the knowledge-