End Times Prophecy - How Close Are We?

The following article was obtained through the website, Prophecy News Watch, and written by Ron Dee Mallett.

End Times Prophecy - How Close Are We?  

Luke 21, Mark 13 and Matthew 24 all relay Jesus' lecture to his disciples on the subject of His return and end-times rule of the world from Jerusalem. Each writer employs unique terminology, but all agree on the Master's ultimate message. Matthew offers the most detailed of the three renditions:

Matthew 24: 3-14 (Summarized): As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples asked "... what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Messiah,' and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars... Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death... hated by all nations because of me... many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold... and this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Each of the renditions by the three apostles agree on seven specific events, postulates, and outcomes for which we should be aware.

THE SIGNS IN COMMON

1. Wars and Rumors of War

2. Earthquakes in Numerous Places

3. Famine

4. Pestilence

5. Hatred

6. Pretenders/False Prophets

7. Gospel Preached to Whole World

A study of each category in our present era is very revealing. We no longer need ask: "Where are we today in fulfillment of the end-time prophecies of Jesus?"

1. Wars and Rumors of War

Each of the following 20 nations experienced from significant war dead in the past year. Yemen, Ukraine, Turkey, Thailand, Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Pakistan, Nigeria, Mexico, Libya, Iran, Israel/Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq, Egypt, Congo, Columbia, Central African Republic, Cameroon, Afghanistan.

Other conflicts also aflame in 2020: namely Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Uganda, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Chad. In the Middle East we are also seeing armed combat in Yemen and Oman.

In total, in the past decade, we have also seen some 45 separate and deadly "religious" conflicts. Led notably by Malaysia, the Philippines, China, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Myanmar, some 35 countries are experiencing significant masses of people killed.

Year 2016 was one of the most violent years since the end of the Cold War. While violence levels decreased slightly from another high in 2017, non-state conflicts and internationalized intrastate conflicts continue to frustrate all attempts at global peace.

The gruesome total for armed conflicts resulting in significant numbers of deaths inflamed some 75 nations in the past decade. Other outbreaks are simmering in another 10 regions/countries yet lacking enough deaths to tip the statistical scales.

Enough said on wars: Jesus' prophecies on the topic are occurring today in great number!

Conclusion: Fulfilled Prophecy

2. Earthquakes in numerous places.

The statistics are staggering. The National Earthquake Information Center records an average of 20,000 earthquakes every year (about 50 a day). There are, however, millions of earthquakes occurring every year too weak to be recorded.

Unquestionably, the earth is seeing a ton of earthquake activity, and some environmental activist 'scientists' are predicting an increase in both frequency and intensity because of global warming for the near future.

Whatever the claims/statistics, we can safely and surely say this particular prophecy of Jesus is with us today in full force.

Conclusion: Fulfilled Prophecy

3. Famine.

After nearly a decade of progress, the number of people suffering from hunger has slowly increased over the past three years, with about one in every nine people globally suffering from hunger today, according to a United Nations report released in late 2019. An estimated 820 million people do not have enough to eat, up from 811 million last year - third year in a row that the number has increased.

This gruesome statistic somewhat softens the hard fact that children suffer the most from this world-class malady simply because they are most vulnerable to the depredations of those older and larger than themselves. We see no need to dwell further on this very unhappy, obvious topic.

Conclusion: Fulfilled Prophecy

4. Pestilence

Ironically, this writer had already formed the basic outline for this prophecy report before the current 'Corona Flu' epic made headlines in world newspapers. We probably don't need to cover the topic further, but a few of the statistics we unearthed are interesting. So... here goes!

A pandemic is an outbreak of global proportions. It happens when a bacterium or mutated virus becomes capable of spreading rapidly. It causes serious illness and can spread easily from one person to the next. The Spanish flu pandemic, from 1918 to 1920, is estimated to have claimed betwen 50-100 million lives. It is considered the worst in history. The Black Death claimed the lives of over 75 million people in the 14th Century.

Other outbreaks of significant import include:

HIV/AIDS PANDEMIC

Death Toll: 34 million

HONG KONG FLU PANDEMIC (1968)

Death Toll: 1 million

ASIAN FLU (1956-1958)

Death Toll: 2 million

So, we see that pestilence can kill millions with very little warning. And such diseases as HIV, Ebola, dengue, malaria and so forth are also killing their millions even at this moment. In totality, we can securely state that this prophecy of Jesus is being fulfilled even as we read these words. Simply watch the Five O-Clock News tonight.

Conclusion: Fulfilled Prophecy

5. Hatred

The bells are tolling on this one. Unfortunately, this human trait is a two-way street in many instances. Jesus makes it clear that we are to hate the sin, not the sinner. I know too many Christians filled with hatred for people outside the mainstream Christian categories of desired behavioral valuation. In this regard, we will experience some hatred that we or others have brought upon ourselves.

But, I believe Jesus was referring only to the fact we are hated for the same reasons he was hated. God's standards of intellectual morality and behavioral practices are absolute. The unsaved world prefers that these issues be addressed as situational.

Murder, for example, is generally unacceptable, but killing babies in the womb is okay. The Bible says drug addiction and witchcraft are unacceptable. Sexually deviant lifestyles are also frowned on, but most people now consider such trends to be normal and highly acceptable behavior.

How many pastors are hesitant to even push the concept of Hell and eternal punishment? It's illegal hate speech in some circumstances according to Canadian and certain U.S. laws. Bottom line, our Bible-based positions on these and other belief paradigms are becoming so severely offensive in the minds of the majority that Jesus says they will justify killing us in droves.

We're quickly reaching the point where the entire world mimics Sodom and Gomorrah (the practice of sodomy deriving its name from that latter city... the wickedness to which Jesus referred in Matt. 24:13). Indeed, we are now at that point!

Conclusion: Fulfilled Prophecy

6. Pretenders/False Prophets

Few people fathom the enormous presence of false beliefs and metaphysical practices embedding our 'modern' world. Watchman Fellowship built a reference index listing over 1,200 distinct religious organizations and belief systems, not counting the major world religions (including Christianity).

Upon reading short statements defining a mere handful of these indexed belief systems, my head swirled. It was as though I had crashed into a condensed pool of swarming Hollywood-style cartoon mythologies... each crazier than the one before. Take a look for yourself and test my reaction.

In the book, Loving God's Way!, Gary De Lashmutt and co-author Dennis McCallum list over 40 distinct cults and sects within Christianity itself. Given the prevalence and near-endless range of belief systems swirling about the world... what are young seekers to believe?. For many, it must seem a hopeless riddle... leaving them with sensualism and pursuit of personal purpose (humanism?) as the 'natural' response... simply living life as a feel-good matter of 'anything goes.'

Could Christ's warning of false belief systems get any more profound and imbedded than what we have today?

Conclusion: Fulfilled Prophecy

7. Gospel Preached to Whole World

"And the end will come." Christian television networks have played a major part in helping to ensure that the entire world is being reached with Christianity's message via radio (including short wave), television towers, satellites and mobile recording and playing devices. The last decade has seen a rapid growth of Christian broadcast networks well beyond just the United States.

Most recently, the internet communications phenomenon has completed the paradigm of realized personal contact. It is impossible to imagine any further communications systems/devices/applications than those existing today in terms of reaching every last human being We have more missionaries from more countries than at any time in prior human history daily using all of these informational tools.

What more is left to do in terms of carrying the Word to a waiting world? True, pockets of people, such as the Tarahumara (Raramuri) of the Sierra Madres, Mexico, have not yet heard the gospel. But, in all such cases, these groups have been identified and efforts are underway to bring them into Truth.

Jesus did not say everyone will be reached. He said The Gospel would be a testimony to all nations. If there are nations that legally reject the gospel (Muslim, Eastern Mysticism, etc.) and fail to expose their populace to the Christian belief system, that is on them, not on Jesus. God has been quoted as saying it is not His will that any should perish. That is far different than saying none will perish. A hard truth.

Conclusion: Soon Fulfilled Prophecy

I see the minute hand ticking very near the High Noon deadline on God's Pre-Ordained Clock of World Forebearance Time. Do we have but seconds remaining? Considering all of the above... what say you?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Ron Dee Mallett is a retired newsman and former corporate communications director for several multinational corporations. After 'retirement', he worked seven years in full-time directorship of jail and prison ministries and co-founded a Mexico outreach named "Shine On Mexico".

There’s a Damn Good Chance AI Will Destroy Humanity, Researchers Say

The following article was obtained through Popular Mechanics and written by Caroline Delbert.

The Primacy of Peter: Vatican to Host Debate in November, 2022

The following article was obtained through News 360 and written by Daniel Stewart.

Vatican to host a debate at St. Peter’s in November between three Protestant, Orthodox and Catholic theologians

On November 22, the Vatican will host a debate in St. Peter's Basilica between a Catholic, a Protestant and an Orthodox theologian on the primacy of Peter, that is, on the primacy of the Bishop of Rome over all Christian confessions.

St. Peter's Square - Evandro Inetti/ZUMA Press Wire/d / DPA© Provided by News 360

Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, president emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Culture, has been the main promoter of the discussions on the theme 'On this rock I will build my Church'. This theological debate is part of a new series of conferences on the figure of the Apostle Peter in history, art and culture that will take place in the basilica starting next Tuesday, October 25, and will conclude in March 2023.

One of the main knots of the ecumenical dialogue, that is, to achieve unity between Orthodox Christians, Protestants and the Catholic Church, has been the question of the primacy of Rome and the role of the Bishop of Rome. Ravasi stressed that the new cycle of conferences is not only for believers who want to find the reason for the hope that is in them, but also aims to reach out to non-Catholics.

As he pointed out in this regard, the Italian Baroque master Gian Lorenzo Bernini - who was the architect of St. Peter's Basilica - imagined the colonnade of the basilica as "two great arms that could embrace not only Catholics from all over the world, but also heretics or those of other faiths".

Ravasi founded the Courtyard of the Gentiles foundation within the Vatican's Dicastery for Culture and Education to promote dialogue between believers and non-believers through events, debates and research. This foundation is also one of the organizers of the new cycle of conferences together with the Fratelli Tutti Foundation, founded by Pope Francis in December 2021.

The two conferences planned for 2023 will focus on a "more cultural dimension" of the Apostle Peter, Ravasi explained. The Jan. 17 conference will look at the figure of St. Peter in history and culture, and the March 7 conference, titled 'Quo vadis,' will examine how Peter has been depicted in art, literature, music and film.

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The following article was obtained through Vatican News and written by Deborah Castellano Lubov.

Vatican to host 'Lectio Petri' events to explore St. Peter's legacy

The Holy See Press Office hosts Cardinals Ravasi and Gambetti to showcase the 'Lectio Petri: The Apostle Peter in History, Arts and Culture' initiative, which runs through the Spring of 2023.

The Vatican is set to host 'Lectio Petri: The Apostle Peter in History, Arts and Culture,' a series of meetings on the life and ministry of the saint, open to the public in St. Peter's Basilica.

This new project was presented on Thursday in the Holy See Press Office by Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, President Emeritus of the former Pontifical Council for Culture and founder of the Courtyard of the Gentiles, and Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, Vicar General for His Holiness for Vatican City, Archpriest of St. Peter's Basilica, and President of the Fabric of Saint Peter.

The series consists of four encounters, in the evocative setting of the Vatican Basilica and with an unprecedented and original format, to explore the life and Ministry of the Apostle Peter in history, arts and culture.

The project is being organized by the Basilica, the Fratelli tutti Foundation and the Courtyard of the Gentiles.

St. Peter, 'fascinating and complex figure'

During Thursday's Press Conference, Cardinal Ravasi emphasized the current revelance of Saint Peter.

“Peter is a fascinating and complex figure, also narrated in the Gospels, with his weaknesses and frailties. His story is studded with different moments, we could almost call them 'phases', the same that a believer might go through today: vocation, crisis - resulting in betrayal - and then conversion and final rehabilitation.”

The Cardinal, who just turned 80 this week, explained that Peter is "a somewhat modern character," who deserves to be explored in depth and is relevant to contemporary times.

"He was a mediator between the Judeo-Christian and pagan Churches and, according to the Apostle Paul, he was the first official witness of Christ's resurrection, impacting not only the Catholic faith and tradition."

Cardinal Ravasi (L) and Cardinal Gambetti (C) at the Holy See Press Office

Enlightening the face of 'our' Church

Likewise, Cardinal Gambetti described the programme as worthwhile.

"We look at the first of the Apostles with gratitude and reverence," he reflected, "for crossing the Mediterranean and arriving in Rome, in the city that the poet Tibullus called 'eternal,' and bearing witness to his love for Jesus."

"Peter," continued the President of the Fabric of St. Peter, "followed the Master, becoming like Him in every way."

This inheritance, he suggested, "is seamlessly duplicated by the Apostolic Tradition to this day."

“In the light of Peter's faith, we want to enlighten the face of 'our' Church and better understand the Way that the Magisterium points out to all peoples in this Third Millennium", from the Second Vatican Council to Pope Francis.”

Four encounters

The first appointment will be hosted by Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, on Tuesday, 25 October, at 6:30 p.m. Rome time, in the Basilica.

For the meeting entitled, "The life of St. Peter. The following, the tears and the martyrdom,' Cardinal Ravasi will propose a reflection and some comments on some of the most significant Gospel passages concerning the Apostle and his vocation.

On Tuesday, 22 November, a Catholic, a Protestant and an Orthodox theologian will debate together on the theme of the Primacy of Peter, at an event entitled "On this rock, I will build my Church”.

The third appointment, called "Accounting for the Hope that is in us", is scheduled for Tuesday, 17 January 2023, and dedicated to an in-depth analysis of the figure of the Saint in history and culture.

Cardinal Ravasi will comment on the two Letters of Peter and some passages from Pliny's Letter, one of the oldest sources describing the life of the early Christians.

Professor Giuliano Amato, President of the Courtyard of the Gentiles Foundation, will conclude the meeting with a reflection on the relationship between faith and society.

Finally, the last Lectio Petri event, "Quo vadis," is scheduled for 7 March.

With the participation with prominent personalities from the world of culture, it will analyse the figure of Peter in arts, literature and music.

The Courtyard of the Gentiles is a structure of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, founded by Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi to promote dialogue between believers and non-believers.

Through events, meetings, debates, research and opportunities for sharing, the Courtyard of the Gentiles has established itself as a meeting place for leading figures from secular and Catholic cultures, on issues and challenges affecting contemporary society - such as ethics, legality, science, faith, sport, art, youth and new technologies.

Who Is Amenadiel?

The following article was obtained through the website, Meredith Gould.

Who is Amenadiel in the Bible: The Truth about Him (Summary)                                      December 26, 2021 | Meredith Gould

Amenadiel in the Bible

Who is Amenadiel in the Bible? When the popular TV series Lucifer started airing, many people asked one of the questions, “who is Amenadiel?” For many people who have read the entire Bible several times, the name Amenadiel does not appear.

However, judging from his character in the Lucifer movie, some people began to think they missed something. Other people think that Amenadiel does not exist, and he might be nothing more than a fictional character.

Who is Amenadiel

There is no mention of who Amenadiel is in the Bible. However, some scholars believe that Amenadiel was a powerful angel in Heaven who God trusted. Along the line, this angel disobeyed God, and he was sent away from Heaven.

One theological theory suggests that Amenadiel is an air spirit that has the combination of Angels Michael and Gabriel’s powers. Therefore, this spirit could exist both in Heaven and on Earth.

Other theories that answer the question “who is Amenadiel in the Bible?” infer that he is the brother of Lucifer because they have similar powers. However, this cannot be proven accurate because the Bible does not mention him.

Also, other sources infer that Amenadiel was God’s first son. He carried out some critical assignments, like giving Cain the brother of Abel, a permanent and conspicuous mark of a fugitive.

What does the Book of Enoch say about Angel Amenadiel

The Book of Enoch is an old text in Judaism that talks more about the spiritual realm, the heavenly angels, the fallen angels, etc. According to this Judaic text, angel Amenadiel was one of God’s favorites in Heaven. However, he became selfish and narcissistic, wanting to establish a kingdom to be the supreme leader.

He was tired of being controlled or supervised by his father, God. Amenadiel’s plans didn’t pan out well because Angel Michael defeated him. Also, he was sent to Hell with other angels who conspired with him.

What does the TV series “Lucifer” say about Angel Amenadiel

The storyline of the Lucifer TV series bears no semblance to what the Book of Enoch says about Angel Amenadiel. According to the TV series, Amenadiel is a Seraph who radiated love and light. He was a very powerful angel, superior to several angels. He was also described as a committed servant, having powerful warrior skills that made him quintessential in God’s kingdom.

In the Lucifer TV series, Amenadiel was tasked with important tasks like planting a significant mark on Cain so that anyone who sees the symbol would label him as a fugitive. Also, according to God’s orders, he took his mother, Goddess, to Hell.

Amenadiel was also instructed to bring Lucifer back to Hell because the latter would leave Hell and spend several years on Earth. This was a tough assignment because Lucifer employed different strategies to frustrate Amenadiel’s plans.

Some key qualities of Amenadiel

He is a powerful warrior

One of the attributes that make Amenadiel stand out is his warrior abilities. According to the TV series Lucifer, Amenadiel was one of the most powerful beings alongside Lucifer. He also carries out the will of God without fear or favor. This is why he has faced different dangerous demons and powers.

In the Bible, the angel who matches this description is Archangel Michael. This is why some schools of thought in Christianity think that the answer to the question who is Amenadiel could be found in the answer: Angel Michael.

He is loyal

Another quality that makes Amenadiel stand out is his loyalty. As seen in the series, he mentioned how he felt God would be disappointed in him because he had not fulfilled his assignment.

While he tried convincing Lucifer to go back to Hell, his loyalty to God remained. Amenadiel understood that since God gave him critical assignments, because he was a trusted angel. Therefore, he did not want to disappoint God.

Who is Amenadiel in Bible?

The name, Amenadiel, is not mentioned in the Bible. This is one of the reasons why some sources feel it is a fictional character. In other holy books, Amenadiel is not mentioned. Therefore, it is correct to say that his existence does not matter to our salvation.

Is Amenadiel an angel or demon?

Some sources claim that Amenadiel was first an angel, who later became a demon after he disobeyed God. Other sources claim that even after Amenadiel fell out of God’s favor, he remained an angel. In the TV series Lucifer, Amenadiel didn’t become a demon even after he lost his powers temporarily.

Who are the 7 Fallen Angels?

The Bible mentions Lucifer as the main fallen angel, who was expelled out of Heaven because he revolted against God. However, different theologists and sources have come up with the names of other fallen angels, which are not referenced in the Bible.

Lucifer, Mammon, Asmodeus, Leviathan, Beelzebub, Satan, and Belphegor are these seven fallen angels. In comparison, the book of Enoch lists the 7 fallen angels as Jeqon, Asbeel, Kasdeja, Samjaza, Penemue, Gadreel and Kasbeel

Who is Lucifer’s brother?

The Bible gives no record of Lucifer having a brother. But other sources claim that Amenadiel is the older brother of Lucifer. In the Tv series, Lucifer severally calls Amenadiel, his brother. Also, when Michael arrives later in the series, we learn that he is also Lucifer’s brother. There is no trusted or precise source that tells us if Lucifer had brothers or not.

Conclusion

Amenadiel became more popular when the Lucifer TV series began to air. Hence, different questions have emerged on Who is Amenadiel and if he is mentioned in the Bible. It is important to mention that Amenadiel does not exist in the Bible, as there are no references to him.

Whether this angel exists or not, believers are advised to be careful when researching some unfamiliar names.

This is important to avoid falling into error and idolatry. Some of the knowledge beyond our scope as humans might not be necessary for us because they have little or no ties to our salvation.

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The following article was obtained through Astrofame. 

If you know a little about the Bible, angels, or have even watched Lucifer the Netflix series, the name Amenadiel may already ring a bell for you. Although, the same probably can’t be said about his backstory and origins, which are somewhat mysterious. We’re here to reveal where he came from, who he is, and why you definitely need to learn all about him.

Amenadiel was the first angel that God created

Amenadiel was the first angel to exist, so he is the oldest and most respected of them all. *Satan and Lucifer, who were also angels created by God, are therefore Amenadiel's brothers, however, the trio eventually went on to tear each other apart over the years and form the course of history that we are fairly familiar with.

Amenadiel Angel - He is known as the Fallen Angel

According to the Catholic Church, all angels were created to be good, but some unfortunately become evil and turned against their creator. In the beginning, God had created three archangels: Lucifer, Michael, and Gabriel, each leading a third of the *72 angels. With the complicity of his angels, Lucifer led the revolt against God and looked for revenge. He was a rebellious angel, who had always sought to dethrone God, and he therefore ended up being cast out of heaven and *lost his wings in the process. During the revolt, Amenadiel first sided with his father and then fought to overthrow God's power. This is what earned him his status as a fallen angel.

Whilst Lucifer was angry, and began reigning over the world of the dead, he vowed to take revenge at any cost and to do everything to drag his father down. During this time, his brother Amenadiel angel remained loyal to *his parents, completely abandoning his brother and even turning his back on him. Lucifer decided to lead the revolt and converted many angels to his cause. He tried to make God his father fall and above all to prove to him that men, whom he venerated so much, were in reality not worthy of his love. Faced with such a revolt, Amenadiel did not know whose side to take. Legend has it that his lust and jealousy for his father blinded him and that he too secretly took part in the battle to overthrow the divine power, therefore becoming a fallen angel.

Amenadiel Bible - The truth about this angel

Amenadiel cannot be found in the Bible, as there is no information about him, although there are ancient Judaic and Christian texts that mention him. The Bible contains little information about the angelic kingdom, so the fact that he is not in the Bible does not mean that he does not exist.

That being said, two ancient texts contain information about who Amenadiel might be, and one more recent than the other:

Theurgia-Goetia

*Theurgia-Goetia is a book on magic, and it is an anonymous text written in the seventeenth century, yet it is one of the most important texts that deals of demons in Christianity. In this text, Amenadiel angel is known as the "King of the East", commander of more than 1000 dukes, and numerous lower spirits. Here, the fallen angel is described as a demon of day and night, with a prominent black aura.

The Book of Enoch

The Book of Enoch is an ancient Judaic text that reveals much information about the divine realm and the angelic hierarchy. It contains information about the fallen angel, who is described as a rebel, who wants to create a new kingdom without his father God. According to this ancient text, Amenadiel was defeated by the archangel Michael and sent to hell with other angels who participated in the revolt (the angel Sariel and Remiel are also considered the most powerful fallen angels).

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Commentary by Who's ? Right Blog

> According to the Christian Bible and Hebrew Tanakh, Satan and Lucifer are the same angel, not two separate angels.

> No religious literature states there are exactly 72 angels. The Christian Bible comments, "But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels...  Hebrews 12:22 (NASB)

> Likewise, there is no record of "angels having wings". It is an artistic expression created by mankind during the Middle Ages.

> "his parents"... mankind has never properly proven that a female god, or even a female angel, was ever created.

> The Theurgia-Goetia refers to "spirits" not "angels". According to an analysis by Morina Ravenberg, an occult blogger, the following speaks volumes, but has no factual data to back it up when it comes to defining "angels"...“The office of these Spirits is all one, for what one can do the others can do the same, they can show & discover all things that are hidden, and done in the world & can fetch & carry & do any thing that is to be done or contained in any of the 4 Elements, Fire, Air, Earth or Water, & also the secrets of Kings or any other persons or person, let it be in what kind it will. These are by nature good & evil, that is the one part is good & the other part is Evil, they are governed by their Princes, & each Prince hath his abode in the points of the Compass, therefore when you have a desire to call any of the Princes or any of their servants, you are to direct yourself towards that point of the Compass the King or Prince has his mansion or place of Abode, & you cannot well err in your operations, note every Prince is to have his Conjuration, yet all of one form, excepting the name and place of the Spirit for in that they must change & differ, also the seals of the Spirits are to be changed accordingly”.

> While the Book of Enoch mentions Amenadiel as a fallen angel, revolting against God and being evicted from Heaven by the archangel, Michael, no other information is available about him in the ancient book.

Paul Harvey's Controversial Articles - Part Two

Part Two concludes with "A Letter From God". Originally written by Bo Lozoff for a Christmas newsletter in 1989, Paul Harvey read this controversial article on his news program in 1989. Here's the article as read by Paul Harvey...

Part One: A Letter From God

My Dear Children (and believe me, that’s all of you),

I consider myself a pretty patient Guy. I mean, look at the Grand Canyon. It took millions of years to get it right. And how about evolution? Boy, nothing is slower than designing that whole Darwinian thing to take place, cell by cell and gene by gene. And I’ve even been patient through your fashions, civilizations, wars and schemes, and the countless ways you take Me for granted until you get yourselves into big trouble again and again.

I want to let you know about some things that are starting to tick me off.

First of all, your religious rivalries are driving Me up a wall. Enough already! Let’s get one thing straight: These are your reli­gions, not Mine. I’m the Whole Enchilada; I’m beyond them all. Every one of your religions claims there’s only one of Me (which, by the way, is absolutely true). But in the very next breath, each religion claims it’s My favorite one. And each claims its bible was written personally by me, and that all the other bibles are man-made. Oh, Me. How do I even begin to put a stop to such complicated nonsense?

Okay, listen up now: I’m your Father and Mother, and I don’t play favorites among My Children. Also, I hate to break it to you, but I don’t write. My longhand is awful, and I’ve always been more of a “doer” anyway. So all your books, including the bibles, were written by men and women. They were inspired men and women, remarkable people, but they also made mistakes here and there. I made sure of that, so that you would never trust a written word more than your own living Heart.

You see, one Human Being to me — even a Bum on the street — is worth more than all the holy books in the world. That’s just the kind of Guy I Am. My Spirit is not an historical thing, it is alive right here, right now, as fresh as your next breath.

Holy books and religious rites are sacred and powerful, but not more so than the least of You. They were only meant to steer you in the right direction, not to keep you arguing with each other, and certainly not to keep you from trusting your own personal connection with Me.

Which brings Me to My next point about your nonsense: You act like I need you and your religions to stick up for Me or “win souls” for My Sake. Please, don’t do Me any favors. I can stand quite well on my own, thank you. I don’t need you to defend Me, and I don’t need constant credit. I just want you to be good to each other.

And another thing: I don’t get all worked up over money or politics, so stop dragging My name into your dramas. For example, I swear to Me that I never threatened Oral Roberts. I never rode in any of Rajneesh’s Rolls Royces. I never told Pat Robertson to run for president, and I’ve never ever had a conversation with Jim Bakker, Jerry Falwell, or Jimmy Swaggart! Of course, come Judgement Day, I certainly intend to…

The thing is, I want you to stop thinking of religion as some sort of loyalty pledge to Me. The true purpose of your religions is so that you can become more aware of Me, not the other way around. Believe Me, I know you already. I know what’s in each of your hearts, and I love you anyway with no strings attached. Lighten up and enjoy Me. That’s what religion is best for.

What you seem to forget is how mysterious I Am. You look at the petty little differences in your scriptures and say, “Well, if this is the Truth, then that can’t be!” But instead of trying to figure out My Paradoxes and Unfathomable Nature — which, by the way, you never will — why not open your hearts to the simple common threads of every religion?

You know what I’m talking about: Play nice with one another. Love and respect everyone. Be kind. Even when life is scary or confusing, take courage and be of good cheer, for I Am always with you. Learn how to be quiet, so you can hear My Still, Small Voice (I don’t like to shout). Leave the world a better place by living your life with dignity and gracefulness, for you are My Own Child. Hold back nothing from life, for the parts of you that can die will, and the parts that can’t, won’t. So don’t worry, be happy (I stole that last line from Bobby McFerrin, but who gave it to him in the first place?)

Simple stuff. Why do you keep making it so complicated? It’s like you’re always looking for an excuse to be upset. And I’m very tired of being your main excuse. Do you think I care whether you call me God, Yahweh, Jehovah, Allah, Wakantonka, Brahma, Father, Mother, or even The Void or Nirvana? Do you think I care which of My Special Children you feel closest to — Jesus, Mary, Buddha, Krishna, Mohammed or any of the others? You can call Me and My Special Ones any name you choose, if only you would go about My business of loving one another as I love you. How can you keep neglecting something so simple?

No I’m not telling you to abandon your religions. Enjoy your reli­gions, honor them, learn from them, just as you should enjoy, honor, and learn from your parents. But do you walk around telling everyone that your parents are better than theirs? Your religion, like your parents, may always have the most special place in your heart; I don’t mind that at all. And I don’t want you to combine all the Great Traditions into One Big Mess. Each religion is unique for a reason. Each has a unique style so that people can find the best path for themselves.

But My Special Children — the ones your religions revolve around — all live in the same place (in My Heart) and they get along perfectly, I assure you. The clergy must stop creating a myth of sibling rivalry where there is none.

My Blessed Children of Earth, the world has grown too small for your pervasive religious bigotries and confusion. The whole planet is connected by air travel, satellite dishes, telephones, fax machines, rock concerts, diseases, and mutual needs and concerns. Get with the program! If you really want to help Me celebrate the birthday of My Son Jesus, then commit yourselves to figuring out how to feed your hungry, clothe your naked, protect your abused, and shelter your poor. And just as importantly, make your own everyday life a shining example of kindness and good humor. I’ve given you all the resources you need, if only you abandon your fear of each other and begin living, loving, and laughing together.

Finally, My Children everywhere, remember whose birth is honored on this day you call Christmas, December 25th, and the fearlessness with which He chose to live and die. As I love Him, so do I love each one of you. Now, I’m not really ticked off, I just wanted to grab your attention because I hate to see you suffer. But I gave you Free Will, so what can I do now other than to try to influence you through reason, persuasion, and a little old-fashioned guilt and manipulation? After all, I Am the original Jewish Mother. I just want you to be happy, and I’ll sit in The Dark. I really Am, indeed, I swear, with you always. Always. Trust In Me.

Your One and Only,

GOD 

According to the majority of biblical scholars and theologians, several controversies arise in this article:

1) God used evolution in creation. The critics point out the implication of evolution had nothing to do with God creating everything. Creation took days to complete, not years. (Exodus 31:17).

2) God didn't author the Bible and you can't trust it. The critics point out the apostles did not follow cunningly devised fables--they were eyewitnesses of the majesty of Jesus Christ (2 Peter 19:21).

3) Never trust any written word. The critics point out God made no mistakes in writing His word. It will endure forever. Jesus said that even the punctuation will not fail. (Matthew 5:18 & Mark 13:31)

4) God is a Father and a MOTHER. The critics point out that nowhere in any of the Abrahamic religious texts does it state that God was a "mother". They claim this theory stems from new age thoughts and goddess worship.

5) God doesn't want the gospel preached. The critics point out that Jesus himself commanded his apostles to spread the word of God to all who will listen. (Matthew 28:18-20).

While there are a few well pointed-out controversies in the article, the bigger picture portrays an author who had a somewhat innocently biased approach in his words, with a few humorous snippets thrown in to make a point. Mr. Lozoff was clearly uneducated when it came to the Word of God (aka: Bible, Tanakh, Quran) and wrote the letter as any unrefined simpleton would. But that does not mean the overall moral of the "letter" is stained with blasphemy and untruths, because the bigger picture paints a loving Creator who is getting fed up with the inhabitants of planet Earth and chastising His children as any father would.

Paul Harvey's Controversial Articles - Part One

Paul Harvey Aurandt (1918–2009) was an American radio broadcaster for ABC News Radio from 1951-2008. Paul Harvey's radio shows included: "News and Comment" and [his famous] "The Rest of the Story" segments, which reached over 24 million people per week. His news and commentaries were carried on 1,200 radio stations, on 400 American Forces Network station and in 300 newspapers.

During Mr. Harvey's radio career, he shared two controversial articles that shocked the nation:  If I Were The Devil and A Letter From God. In today's world, the former - which originally aired in 1964 - can almost be likened unto a prophecy.  The latter - which originally aired in 1989 - caused the most controversy, especially among the Christians. Both documents contain powerful words.

In Part One of this series, it would appear that what Paul Harvey said in 1964 has come to fruition ...

Part One: If I Were The Devil

If I were the devil … If I were the Prince of Darkness, I’d want to engulf the whole world in darkness. And I’d have a third of its real estate, and four-fifths of its population, but I wouldn’t be happy until I had seized the ripest apple on the tree — Thee.  So, I’d set about however necessary to take over the United States. 

I’d subvert the churches first — I’d begin with a campaign of whispers. With the wisdom of a serpent, I would whisper to you as I whispered to Eve: ‘Do as you please.’ 

“To the young, I would whisper that ‘The Bible is a myth.’ I would convince them that man created God instead of the other way around. I would confide that what’s bad is good, and what’s good is ‘square.’ And the old, I would teach to pray, after me, ‘Our Father, which art in Washington…’

“And then I’d get organized. I’d educate authors in how to make lurid literature exciting, so that anything else would appear dull and uninteresting. I’d threaten TV with dirtier movies and vice versa. I’d pedal narcotics to whom I could. I’d sell alcohol to ladies and gentlemen of distinction. I’d tranquilize the rest with pills.

“If I were the devil I’d soon have families at war with themselves, churches at war with themselves, and nations at war with themselves; until each in its turn was consumed. And with promises of higher ratings, I’d have mesmerizing media fanning the flames. 

If I were the devil, I would encourage schools to refine young intellects, but neglect to discipline emotions — just let those run wild, until before you knew it, you’d have to have drug sniffing dogs and metal detectors at every schoolhouse door.

“Within a decade I’d have prisons overflowing, I’d have judges promoting pornography — soon I could evict God from the courthouse, then from the schoolhouse, and then from the houses of Congress. And in His own churches I would substitute psychology for religion and deify science. I would lure priests and pastors into misusing boys and girls, and church money. If I were the devil, I’d make the symbols of Easter an egg and the symbol of Christmas a bottle.

“If I were the devil, I’d take from those who have, and give to those who want until I had killed the incentive of the ambitious.

And what do you bet I could get whole states to promote gambling as the way to get rich? I would caution against extremes and hard work in Patriotism, in moral conduct. I would convince the young that marriage is old-fashioned, that swinging is more fun, that what you see on the TV is the way to be. And thus, I could undress you in public, and I could lure you into bed with diseases for which there is no cure. 

In other words, if I were the devil, I’d just keep right on doing what he’s doing... Paul Harvey, good day!”

Prophecy or coincidence? Either way, this article is noticeably in tune with events that began occurring in the mid-late 20th century and continues to happen in the 21st century. 

Paul Harvey's Controversial Articles - Part Two