SELF ESTEEM THERAPY

What Happened When an Angel Developed
a High Self-Esteem?

Peril of Theory of Man's Inherent Power.

If Satan can so befog and deceive the human mind as to lead mortals to think that there is an inherent power in themselves to accomplish great and good works, they cease to rely upon God to do for them that which they think there is power in themselves to do. They acknowledge not a superior power. They give not God the glory which He claims, and which is due to His great and excellent Majesty. Satan's object is thus accomplished, and he exults that fallen men presumptuously exalt themselves.

Man His Own Standard of Character

Satan beguiles men as now he beguiled Eve in Eden, by flattery, by kindling a desire to obtain forbidden knowledge, by exciting ambition for self-exaltation. It was cherishing these evils that caused his fall, and through them he aims to compass the ruin of men. "Ye shall be as gods," he declares, "knowing good and evil" (Genesis 3:5). Spiritualism teaches "that man is the creature of progression; that it is his destiny from his birth to progress, even to eternity, toward the Godhead," And again: "Each mind will judge itself and not another." "The judgment will be right, because it is the judgment of self.... The throne is within you." Said a Spiritualistic teacher, as the "spiritual consciousness" awoke within him, "My fellowmen, all were unfallen demigods." And another declares, "Any just and perfect being is Christ."
Thus, in place of the righteousness and perfection of the infinite God, the true object of adoration; in place of the perfect righteousness of His law, the true standard of human attainment, Satan has substituted the sinful, erring nature of man himself as the only object of adoration, the only rule of judgment, or standard of character. This is progress, not upward but downward.

Not Found in Christ's Teachings

I was directed to this scripture as especially applying to modern spiritualism: Colossians 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."...
"Vain deceit" fills the minds of poor mortals. They think there is such power in themselves to accomplish great works that they realize no necessity of a higher power. Their principles and faith are "after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ."
Jesus has not taught them this philosophy. Nothing of the kind can be found in His teachings. He did not direct the minds of poor mortals to themselves, to a power which they possessed. He was ever directing their minds to God, the Creator of the universe, as the source of their strength and wisdom. Special warning is given in verse 18: "Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshiping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind."

Theory of Accountability Only to Self.

He [Satan] has destroyed and is destroying thousands through the indulgence of the passions, thus brutalizing the entire nature of man. And to complete his work, he declares through the spirits that "true knowledge places man above all law"; that "whatever is, is right"; that "God doth not condemn"; and that "all sins which are committed are innocent."
When the people are thus led to believe that desire is the highest law, that liberty is license, and that man is accountable only to himself, who can wonder that corruption and depravity teem on every hand? Multitudes eagerly accept teachings that leave them at liberty to obey the promptings of the carnal heart. The reins of self-control are laid upon the neck of lust, the powers of mind and soul are made subject to the animal propensities, and Satan exultingly sweeps into his net thousands who profess to be followers of Christ.

Lucifer Desired God's Power, Not Character.

Lucifer desired God's power but not His character. He sought for himself the highest place, and every being who is actuated by his spirit will do the same. Thus alienation, discord, and strife will be inevitable. Dominion becomes the prize of the strongest. The kingdom of Satan is a kingdom of force; every individual regards every other as an obstacle in the way of his own advancement, or a stepping-stone on which he himself may climb to a higher place.

Stubbornness Severs Divine Help.

When God sent Moses to Pharaoh, he had light, but Pharaoh resisted, and every resistance brought up a heavier stubbornness. Did God put a power upon him that he could not turn to the light? No, it was indifference to evidence. The stubbornness of Pharaoh was because light was shining that he would not receive.

Stubbornness and Conscientiousness

The stubbornness of man and his determination to do as he pleases and to have his own way, not heeding the counsels of the Lord… lead him not do the very thing that the Lord has signified is right to be done, and yet make a great plea of conscientiousness. There is a good conscience and a bad conscience, and a man can be most thoroughly deceived in himself. Under this deception he will do many things in his own spirit that are not in harmony with the Spirit of God. Yet he will be as immovable as a rock to counsel or to any way except his own way.

Fearful Power of Self-deception.

To be without the graces of the Spirit of God is sad indeed; but it is a more terrible condition to be thus destitute of spirituality and of Christ and yet try to justify ourselves by telling those who are alarmed for us that we need not their fears and pity. Fearful is the power of self-deception on the human mind! What blindness--setting light for darkness and darkness for light!

Satan's Power Over the Self-exalted.

How vain is the help of man when Satan's power is exercised over a human being who has become self-exalted and who knows not that he is partaking of the science of Satan. In his self-confidence he walks right into the enemy's trap and is ensnared. He did not heed the warnings given and was taken as Satan's prey. If he had walked humbly with God, he would have run into the trysting place God had provided for him. Thus in times of danger he would have been safe, for God would have lifted for him a standard against the enemy.

Leading to Suicide.

The world, who act as though there were no God, absorbed in selfish pursuits, will soon experience sudden destruction, and shall not escape. Many continue in the careless gratification of self until they become so disgusted with life that they kill themselves.

Dancing and carousing, drinking and smoking, indulging their animal passions, they go as an ox to the slaughter. Satan is working with all his art and enchantments to keep men marching blindly onward until the Lord arises out of His place to punish the inhabitants of earth for their iniquities, when the earth shall disclose her blood and no more cover her slain. The whole world appears to be in the march to death.

Self Alive at Every Touch

What a victory you will gain when you learn to follow the opening providences of God with a grateful heart and a determination to live with an eye single to His glory, in sickness or health, in abundance or want. Self is alive and quivering at every touch. Self must be crucified before you can overcome in the name of Jesus and receive the reward of the faithful.

The Most Incurable Sin.

God cannot connect with those who live to please themselves, to make themselves first. Those who do this will in the end be last of all. The sin that is most nearly hopeless and incurable is pride of opinion, self-conceit. This stands in the way of all growth. When a man has defects of character, yet fails of realizing this; when he is so imbued with self-sufficiency that he cannot see his fault, how can he be cleansed? "They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick" (Matthew 9:12). How can one improve when he thinks his ways perfect?

Humiliation of Self Important.

Those who think that they can receive the blessing of God …without humiliation of self will go away just as they came. They will have as much perplexity as they had before..
To know oneself is great knowledge. True self-knowledge leads to a humility that will open the way for the Lord to develop the mind and mold and discipline the character.

Farthest Removed From Pride or Self-exaltation.

"He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked" (1 John 2:6). "Now if any man have not the spirit of Christ, he is none of His" (Romans 8:9). This conformity to Jesus will not be unobserved by the world. It is a subject of notice and comment. The Christian may not be conscious of the great change, for the more closely he resembles Christ in character, the more humble will be his opinion of himself; but it will be seen and felt by all around him.

Those who have had the deepest experience in the things of God are the farthest removed from pride or self-exaltation. They have the humblest thoughts of self and the most exalted conceptions of the glory and excellence of Christ. They feel that the lowest place in His service is too honorable for them.

Safety in Remembering One's Weakness.

Men are tested and proved not only before human intelligences but before the heavenly universe. Unless they fear and tremble for themselves, unless they realize their own weakness and remember their past failures, striving to guard against repeating them, they will make the same mistakes, which were attended with results that they cannot afford the second time.

Conquering Self a Lifework.

Wrongs cannot be righted, nor can reformations in conduct be made by a few feeble, intermittent efforts. Character building is the work, not of a day, nor of a year, but of a lifetime. The struggle for conquest over self, for holiness and heaven, is a lifelong struggle. Without continual effort and constant activity, there can be no advancement in the divine life, no attainment of the victor's crown.

The Impress of the Divine.

Let not self wax to great proportions lest the whole man be defiled. One leak will sink a ship, and one flaw break a chain; so there may be some hereditary or cultivated trait of character that will work in the heart and develop into words that will make an impression for evil which will never be effaced. We are all building for eternity. Let the character have the impress of the divine in pure, noble utterances, in upright deeds. Then the whole universe of heaven will behold and say, Well done, good and faithful servant.--Lt 91, 1899.

Be careful little ears what you hear.....

History of Rock Music

by Dr. Ruben Gonzalez

It is true that we judge a tree by its fruit, and this principle is more than valid when it comes to the phenomenon of rock music. However to properly understand what the effects of rock music are we shall first have a look at its roots so that we can understand why rock music effects us the way it does.

The history of rock music is steeped in the mysterious. This can only be so since its origins can be traced way back to the mysteries of the temple rituals of ancient, pagan Babylon. In fact its origins are purely religious, being an integral part of orgies and devil worship. This entire system of pagan worship, including the music, eventually filtered down into Egypt.

Egypt is where modern historians directly trace the origins of rock music. In fact we know quite a lot about music in Egypt. We know for a fact that it was used to alter the emotions, it was used to create mass hypnosis and especially to incite immorality. We also know what type of rhythms and harmonies were used and we can clearly recognize the elements of rock music. Aristotle writing about the effects of this music says,

"Emotions of any kind are produced by melody and rhythm...music has the power to form character. The manner of its arrangement being so important that the various modes may be distinguished by their effects on character. One for example, working in the direction of melancholy, another of effeminacy; one encouraging abandonment, another self control, another enthusiasm, and so on through the series."

These effects on character we will see in more detail a little later. Plato himself, however, gives us an insight into these effects.

"When modes of music change, the fundamental laws of the state always change with them (for) this spiritual license, finding a home, imperceptibly penetrates into manners and customs; whence, issuing with greater force, it invades contracts between man and man, and from contracts goes on to laws and constitutions, in utter recklessness, ending at last, by an overthrow of all rights, private as well as public."

"From ancient Egypt, it spread to West Africa, including Dahomey and the Congo. A significant dance tradition derived from the Egyptians is found in the western Congo." In fact this dance called the "Danse du ventre" could be mistaken for modern dance in that "the shoulders, buttocks, stomach and breasts are all separately or simultaneously rotated, wagged or otherwise set in motion." (ibid.) In fact a similar dance is the Voodoo, which is also a religion, and its origin is traceable to Dahomey. Music in these African cultures is intricately involved in devil worship, altering the conscious state and inciting sexual orgies. This music subsequently found its way across the Atlantic to America aboard slave ships.

"Enroute to the United States many slaves were taken first to the West Indies, especially Hispaniola; then after a time many were sold in New Orleans. They brought with them their religious and musical heritage. Those from Santo Domingo had retained their ancient Voodoo worship practices and continued them in New Orleans."

"One of the most exotic sights in old New Orleans was the slave dancing that took place in the ‘Place Congo’. The slaves’ custom of assembling on Sundays and church holy days to dance in public squares must have begun before 1786, for in that year a local ordinance was passed forbidding such dancing until after the close of religious services."

"The exposure of this African music and dance tradition to the public provided an opportunity for it to influence and be influenced by European musical tradition. The unique rhythmical emphasis of these dances plus many other ingredients and entertainment practices combined to form a music called JAZZ. Authorities agree that work songs from cotton fields, rural and urban blues, banjo styles from minstrel shows, syncopated brass bands and ragtime, all played an important part. Even Voodoo had its influence on jazz.". "The syncopation as a primary ingredient of jazz developed as a rhythmic accommodation of the Africans. Syncopation was the nearest and best substitute for the complicated polyrhythms that were an integral part of their musical heritage." It is this syncopation that causes music to "swing".

Jazz, the precursor of modern rock and roll, as we shall see, has a very interesting place in history. The name Jazz comes from the now defunct word jass, which means the sexual act." Jazz to the pagan is a symptom of a glorious release from the bonds of moral restraint. It came from the slums of music; it corrupted taste and manners." In fact jazz music was mainly developed for use in brothels, where each brothel would try to outclass the others by having the best jazz band. Eventually jazz evolved into what we know today as rock and roll, however it lost none of its heritage in its long journey from Babylon to Egypt to America and then to the world; it has simply been repackaged in a different form with the same rhythms and qualities which originated with devil worship, rebellion, and immorality.

"As its name implies, rock and roll was primarily a dance music—the emphasis shifting from blues to rhythm—and it was accepted as a focal point for teenage life, a common bond, an outlet for aggressions, a standard to rally around.... Further, rock and roll has an insistent, powerful impetus—basic backbeat and shuffle rhythms of rhythm and blues which demanded a physical response.. So the harsh, direct syncopation of rock and roll came as a physical manifestation of its content—a challenge to loosen up, to break the old molds of convention and propriety, to express real emotions. The musicians themselves moved and danced as they played, begging the listener to cast off his inhibitions" "Rock songs convey attitudes and ideas about the form of the dance itself, dancing as physical means of self-discovery, rebellion, release." "Its strength (has) always been rooted in the sexual energy of its rhythms; in that sense, the outraged parents who had seen rock as a threat to their children’s virtue were right. Rock and roll made you want to move and shake and get physically excited."

We have seen that the roots of rock come directly from the rites of pagan worship. Therefore the use and effects of it are the same today as then. Let us look at some of the effects of rock music.

Scientists tell us that music not only affects our emotions, but it actually causes a multitude of physical reactions in our bodies, such as changes in hormonal levels depending on what type of music it is. Not only does it do this, but certain kinds of music can coerce one to surrender his autonomy and to follow a crowd. "…it is the rhythm that controls the activities of large groups...[It] furnishes a nonverbal persuasion not only to act but to act together." What, though, is it that rock music with its driving rhythms compels us towards? Mike Quattro a well known producer of rock shows tells us. "Rock motivates you internally, gives you a sensual feeling. A girl can be turned on by the music. It releases her inhibitions. The beat of the drum has always been a factor.. A girl realizes her own sexuality through the music."

Columnist Phyllis Schlafly tells of a letter she received from professional musician Jack Staulcup in response to an article she had written deploring the sex rock trend. She wrote in 1978:

"According to Staulcup, a steady diet of rock and roll junk promotes degenerate rebelliousness among teenagers that finds its outlet in drugs, alcohol and illicit sex... Staulcup concludes that rock and roll is the biggest legalized racket this country has ever seen. If we value civilization, we cannot afford to ignore any longer the high correlation between the multibillion dollar hard rock racket and the explosion of drug use and illicit sex among their teenage victims." In 1978, a California music therapist, investigating the effects of rock music on teenagers, administered to 240 school children aged 10 -18 an emotional stability test during which rock was played. The results were then examined by a psychologist who was unaware of the experiment. He concluded that the test had been given in a mental institution.

We can probably best see the effect of rock by listening to what the experts, those who write this very music tell us.

The Beatles say (in the late 60’s), "Our music is capable of causing emotional instability, disorganized behavior, rebellion and even revolution."

Spencer Dryden: "Get them while they’re young; bend their minds."

Jan Berry: "The throbbing beat of rock provides a vital sexual release for adolescent audience."

Andrew Oldham (recording manager for the rolling stones) says , "Pop music is sex, and you have to hit them in the face with it."

Donnie Brewer of Grand Funk: "We take kids away from their parents and their environment to where the only reality is the rhythm and the beat."

John Denver, says of rock, "Rock music is a greater influence over the souls of men than primitive Christianity."

Johnny Bristol : "Sex is where its at in music... and I like it."

Glenn Frey of The Eagles: "I’m in rock music for the sex and narcotics."

Debbie Harry, lead singer with Blondie: "I’ve always thought that the main ingredients in rock are sex, really good stage shows and really sassy music, Sex and sass, I think that’s where it’s at."

John Oates: "Rock ‘n’ roll is 99% sex."

Chris Stein, lead guitarist with Blondie: "Everybody takes it for granted that rock ‘n’ roll is synonymous with sex."

Frank Zappa, superstar of Mothers of Invention fame: "Rock music is sex. The big beat matches the body’s rhythms."

We could quote many more rock personalities who will tell us exactly the same thing; rock music is sex and rebellion. Don’t think for one one minute that we are only talking about hard or heavy rock. The Beatles style of rock today seems very mild, but we have their own witness regarding their music. And don’t think that the lyrics are the main factor in these terrible effects of rock music, since any one will tell you that in rock music "The words finally don’t matter after all." Dr William J. Schafer tells us that "Rock music is communication without words, regardless of what ideology is inserted into the music." And Professor Frank Garlock says, "The Words only let you know what the music already says...The music is its own message and it can completely change the message of the words." To those who would propose the argument that music in itself is neutral and its the words that make it either moral or immoral, Dr Max Schoen in his book "The Psychology of Music" says, "Music is the most powerful stimulus known among the perceptive senses. The medical, psychiatric and other evidences for the non-neutrality of music is so overwhelming that it frankly amazes me that anyone should seriously say otherwise."

Scientific evidence about the effects of rock music are just as disturbing. In one article, ("Music to Kill Plants By") we are told that for two years during an experiment all pot plants exposed to rock music died within one month." Evidence floods us regarding the rebellion and immorality that rock incites in the youth, in fact we only need to look at the changes that have taken hold of society since the advent of rock to realize the truthfulness of this. Medical and psychiatric evidence also abounds for the negative of effects of rock music. In fact the current trends in society were well foreseen and warned about during the early years of rock and roll.

Another scientific experiment was recently performed to examine the effects of music on the brain. Two researchers Dr. Schrenckenburg, a neurologist, and Dr. Bird, a physicist, were involved in the experiment. They took 36 mice and divided them at birth into 3 categories © the control group, (H) the harmonic group (those exposed to classical music with synchronized component rhythmic patterns) and (D) the disharmonic group (those exposed to syncopated music [rock]). For two months the (H) and (D) groups were exposed, night and day, to their respective music, maintained at a sound level of 80-85 decibels. The © group was kept in a relatively quite room at 75 decibels. The environments were in all other ways identical.

After these two months of exposure, 12 mice, 4 from each group, were sacrificed and their brains properly prepared and frozen for latter study and comparison with what would be older mice by the time all had been sacrificed for study.

The other 24 mice were exposed to three weeks of maze "training". Then they were given three weeks of rest during which no testing or maze reinforcement occurred. This was followed by a three-week post latency period during which the mice were retested to establish the degree of learning and retention. Throughout this process, behavior changes and discrepancies were carefully noted. At the completion of the maze training, these 24 mice were sacrificed and their brains studied, along with the previous 12. The results of this were that the © and (H) groups were very similar and no significant differences appeared. The (D) group showed the following changes

1. Excess branching of the Neuronal Dendrites

2. significant increases in mRNA

3. Significant decreases in learning retention or memory

4. Hyperactivity

5. Aggression, (some of the mice resorted to cannibalism)

6. Inattentiveness

This clearly indicates that the rhythms common to rock music cause brain nerve damage and behavior degradation.

In another interesting study the motor pulses produced by the brain to different musical stimuli were measured. The range of music included rock, blues, classical and ethnic samples. It was found that especially when rock music and jazz were played the motor pulses produced where the same as those produced normally by the brain during sexual arousal. The qualities of experience and mental energies displayed overt sexual qualities. Some of the ethnic music, also displayed these qualities mingled with aggressiveness.

When we see the origins and purpose and rock music we can not but agree with its scientifically proven effects. The rise in violence, immorality, drug use, rebellion, disregard for authority, increasing generation gap. The increase in suicides, murders, teenage pregnancy. All these are proof of the effects of this music, and yet we convince ourselves that there is nothing wrong with it. Rock music has been specifically engineered to break up families and to ruin society. Not only does it destroy everything that is respectable and good but it also physically destroys those exposed to it, it drives them insane, makes them emotionally unstable and causes brain damage. The main factors of rock responsible for this are the very things that make it so appealing: the syncopation, the polyrhythms and the dissonances, which themselves cause a rhythmic effect known as ‘beating’. The brains power of association also heightens the effect of rock music since every time you hear a rhythm, irrelevant of the present conditions, the mind will immediately dwell on what was associated with that rhythm the first time it was heard. This is imagery is generally Satanic, immoral or generally unsuitable for Christians.

How can something so evil so perverse be brought into the church. We think that we can somehow baptize rock music and make it acceptable. How can music which we know will strengthen the carnal passions be brought into the church and be used by it? How is it that we won’t drink coffee because it harms us yet we listen to music which depraves and destroys in us not only our bodies, but the desire for everything pure and holy? How is it that we allow paganism a place on the rostrum, and feast our souls on sex. The music we hear becomes an experience for which we are accountable. Why do we lust after that which we know is completely evil, whose fruit we already know, even if it is not immediately evident? We have seen from science and history, and sociology and neurology, and psychiatry, the very nature of the phenomenon called rock music. We would do well to avoid it so that we do not become addicted by it. Or have we have already been burnt to the point where we no longer feel the pain?

The last great contest---Worship

There is real controversy in our church over the subject of worship. We hear rumblings of how we need to be more relevant in our style worship, that we must do all we can to attract and keep our youth by having a style of worship that will appeal to them. We are told that if we cater to the unconverted, we will draw them by the type of worship services that will that will make them feel comfortable.

The subject of worship in the bible begins with Genesis and ends with Revelation. Actually, the subject of whom to worship was contested in Heaven, when Lucifer desired to be the most High. After his fall, Lucifer continued his controversy here on earth.

The definition of worship from the American Heritage Dictionary is, “The reverent love and allegiance accorded to a deity, idol, or sacred object. A set of ceremonies, prayers, or other religious forms by which this love is expressed. Ardent, humble devotion.”

Lucifer coveted the worship and adoration of the angels and of the created beings. He indulged in the desire of self-exaltation. Ezekiel 28:7 tells us that his heart was lifted up because of his beauty and brightness. We are also told that he said in his heart, “I will exalt my throne above the stars of God…I will be like the most high” (Isaiah 14:13, 14).

Page 36 of Patriarchs and Prophets says, “Instead of seeking to make God supreme in the affection and allegiance of all created beings, it was his endeavor to secure their service and loyalty to himself”. This continue to be his aim and goal even after losing the war in heaven and being cast down to earth.

We see Satan’s continued desire for supremacy and reverence by his attack on Adam Eve in the Garden of Eden. By partaking of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, Adam and Eve fell and forever placed humankind in an environment where Satan could temp and harass them. For six thousand years the struggle has continued. There are only two sides to choose from, now, just as there were then. Whom will we reverence and worship—our creator God or the imposter, satan?

The people in Noah’s day also faced the challenge of deciding to who they yield their allegiance.

“Men put God out of their knowledge worshiped the creatures of their own imagination; and as a result, they became more and more debased” (Patriarchs and Prophet, 91). Because the people chose not to worship the creator God, they suffered the destruction of the flood that God sent.

Choose you this day whom you will serve

The bible is full of example of people having to make the choice as to whom they would worship and obey. Abraham made the choice to worship the creator God rather than the god’s of the nations around him. Abraham was instructed to move away from his kindred to a place God would show him. The bible tells us that Abraham went, not knowing where he was going. God knew that for Abraham to remain in his environment would be too great a risk for him. Perhaps there is a lesson here for us to learn.

You will recall the story of the Prophet Daniel’s faithfulness to the worship of God even though it took him to the lion’s den. Then there were his three friends who faced the fiery furnace because of their decision to worship God alone. The story of Elijah on Mount Carmel also speaks to us of the importance of making the right choice as to whom we will worship. All through the history of the bible, men and women have been faced with this decision.

There is however, one particular bible story that I find very intriguing. This is the story of the children of Israel just before they reached the promise land and were preparing to enter in. Israel was camped in a beautiful plain, surrounded by tropical plants and beautiful trees. The climate ideal and the children of Israel found this to be an agreeable retreat while they waited for Moses, who was busy preparing for the occupation of Canaan.

Idle time is not conducive to spiritual growth and this was the case with the children of Israel. They were in condition of outward ease and indulgence. In addition, they neglected prayer and cherished a spirit of self-confidence.

On every side of the plain, with its attractive surroundings, were places noted for idolatry and extravagance. These surroundings, which at first were repugnant to the Israelites, soon exerted a polluting influence on them. Their minds and eyes became familiar with the vile and the idolatrous. Slowly they began to depart from God. At first, the Israelites had little to do with their Midian neighbors. But soon the Midianite women began making visits to the camp.

Balaam, a man the Israelites considered to be a prophet of God, also made friendly overtures to God’s people. He had been appointed by the king of Moab to induce the Israelites to attend a grand festival in honor of their gods. Balaam had little difficulty persuading the Israelites to come and join in the festive occasion. Great numbers of people joined him in witnessing the celebration. When they ventured on Satan’s territory, his devices ensnared them.

It didn’t take much to cause the people of God to cast off their allegiance to Jehovah. The music, dancing, feasting, drinking of wine, and beautiful women soon had them infatuated. The spirit of prophecy tells us that the rulers and the leading men of Israel were the first to transgress. They led the way for multitudes to apostatize and join themselves to the worship of Baal.

By the time Moses realized what was happening to God’s people, many of them were beginning to observe the heathen rites right in the camp of Israel. The aged leader was filled with indignation. God’s wrath was poured out by a terrible pestilence that broke out in the camp, killing tens of thousands of the guilty people.

Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the end of world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he stand take lest he fall. (1corinthians 10; 11-12).

As we approach the close of time, as the people of God stand upon the border of the heavenly Canaan, satan will, as of old, redouble his efforts to prevent them from entering the goodly land. He lays his snares for every soul. It is not the ignorant and the uncultured merely that need to be guarded; he will prepare his temptations for those in the highest positions, in the most holy office; if he can lead them to pollute their soul, he can, through them, destroy many. And he employs the same agents now as he employed three thousand years ago. By worldly friendships, by the charms of beauty, by pleasure seeking, mirth, feasting, or the wine cup he tempts to the violation of the seventh commandment – “Thou shalt not commit adultery” (Patriarchs and Prophet, 458).

Do you think that something of this nature might be happening to our people today? Let’s just look at this story for a minute. What was it that caused the children Israel to fall so easily into apostasy?

There are a number of points to consider:

1. The Israelites were enjoying leisure time and were not spending time in spiritual renewal and pray.

2. They were gradually enticed to sin. Sin was all around them and they became so familiar with it that it didn’t seem so sinful to them after a while.

3. They came to enjoy the Moabite music and feasting, and, finally, their mode of idol worship.

4. The leaders were instrumental in causing many to think that there would be nothing wrong with fraternizing with the heathens around them.

The spirit of Prophecy make it very plain that Israel of old is the is the type of the modern church of God—the Seventh-day Adventist church. The experience that they went through can be seen in our churches history. Are we now experiencing the apostasy at the Jordan?

Sensual indulgence weakens the mind and debases the soul. The moral and intellectual powers are benumbed and paralyzed by the gratification of the animal propensities; and it is impossible for the slave of passion to realize the sacred obligation of the law of God, to appreciate the atonement, or to place right value upon the soul….

By beholding we become changed. By the indulgence of impure thoughts, man can so educate his mind that sin which he once loathed will become pleasant to him… satan is using every means to make crime and debasing vice popular. We cannot walk the streets of or cities without encountering flaring notices of crime presented in some novel or to be acted at some theater. The mind is educated to familiarity with sin…those who would not fall prey to satan’s devices must guard well the avenues of the soul; they must avoid reading, seeing, or hearing that which will suggest impure thoughts. The mind should not be left to wander at random upon every subject that the adversary of souls may suggest (Patriarchs and Prophets, 458-460).

Then there is the problem of the way people dress and act that we encounter every day. This, also, becomes a means whereby Satan entices us to sin. Let us bring the point that led to Israel’s downfall to our modern day.

The Pursuit of pleasure

Has there ever been a time in earth’s history when more time is spent in pleasure than the present? I believe it is right for us to take some time to be with our families and enjoy some relaxation after exerted ourselves in work. But never should this be to the exclusion of time spent with God in His word and on our knees. In fact, God should be our priority every day.

Familiarity with evil

The children of Israel were enticed to sin by watching and seeing the evil on every side. Satan has made now made such advances in this day and age that we do not need to leave our home in order to see and hear evil. Now he has brought the evil into the privacy of our homes. Television has bridge the gap.

Satan was very cunning in how he brought the evil into our homes. Originally, the programs were innocent and captivating. Then gradually, then program became more violent and sensual. The ads also began with innocence. Now there is hardly a program that one as a Christian can watch and know that it would be approved of in heaven. Watching the news is also alarming. The ads that are put in between the news items are not fit for Christians to see. Even the news items themselves are so graphic, that we have become hardened to scenes of violence and crime. This is just how satan wants it to be.

Then there are violent and often demonic games that nearly every home has. Our children play these games by the hour, never realizing that satan is stealing their souls. All of this is causing us to find the study of God’s word boring and uninteresting. And yet, when we feed our souls with the word of God and commune with Him, “the things of this world will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace!” It all depends on whom we will worship.

When we pray, we should ask God to help us instantly recognize what satan is suggesting so we can resist the thought, or take our eyes away from seeing evil. How often after we see an immoral suggestion, satan play that scene over again in our minds trying to break us down so that we will fall when the opportunity comes! The admonition “Guard well the avenues of the soul” should be taken very seriously. Whom do we intend to worship?

Music

Music is a very controversial subject. The music we listen to and participate in will tell whom we worship! Rick Warren, in his book, The Purpose-Driven Life says this: Worship has nothing to do with the style or volume or speed of a song. God loves all kinds of music because he invented it all—fast and slow, loud and soft, old and new. You probably don’t like it all, but God does! If it is offered to God in spirit and truth, it is an act of worship…

Christians often disagree over the style of music used in worship…But there is no biblical style! There are no musical notes in the bible; we don’t even have the instruments they used in bible.

There is no such thing as Christian music; there are only Christian lyrics. It is the words that make a song sacred, not the tune. There are no spiritual tunes.

Compare the above statements with what the inspired writings say about music: The things you have described as taking place in Indiana, the Lord has shown me would take place just before the close of probation. Every uncouth thing will be demonstrated. There will be shouting, with drums, music and dancing. The senses of rational beings will become so confused that they cannot be trusted to make right decisions. And this is called the moving of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit never reveals itself in such methods, in such a bedlam of noise. This is an invention of satan to cover up his ingenious methods for making of none effect the pure, sincere, elevating, ennobling, sanctifying truth for this time. Better never have the worship of God blended with music than to use musical instruments to do the work which last January was represented to me would be brought into our camp meetings. The truth for this time needs nothing of this kind in its work of converting the soul. A bedlam of noise shocks the senses and perverts that which if conducted aright might be a blessing. The powers of satanic agencies blend with the din and noise, to have a carnival, and this is termed the Holy Spirit’s working…

The Holy Spirit has nothing to do with such a confusion of noise and multitude of sounds as passed before me last January. Satan works amid the din and confusion of such music, which, properly conducted, would be a praise and glory to God. He makes its effect like the poison sting of the serpent…satan will make music a snare by the way in which it is conducted(2 Selected Messages, 36-38).

We are admonished that the character of our music can elevated our thoughts and feeling or degenerate them.

I realize that this quote refers to worldly music, but I also believe that it can apply to so-called Christian rock. Listening to the beat and the grating singing sounds that come along with even Christian rock only causes one to become insensitive to the sounds and words of worldly rock. Only the words are different.

Alan O’ Day, singer, musician, and composer wrote this:

To, me contemporary Christian music is the station that I tune in on the radio, thinking that I’m hearing secular music because it sound so hip-until I catch the words and realize the lyric has a slightly different intent. I am happy to see that Christian music is moving into the 20^th century, and that in some cases, the

distinction between Christian and secular music is being blurred.

Richard Harrington, writing in the Washington Post, says that the religious recording industry recognizes the terrific sale potential in pushing more “positive pop” into the churches. He says it is capitalizing on its opportunity to make big sales by fusing current popular musical styles with religious words.

In his book why should the devil have all the good music? Paul Baker writes: Christian rock entered the churches—not through Christian musicians who sought to glorify the Lord—but by unsaved, secular rock performers who capitalized on religious themes.

What today is hailed by church administrators, Pastors, and youth leaders as a great victory…is actually a device of the devil to destroy everyone in the church…

Rock music, by it very history and what it does in the lives of those who tamper with it, is unholy. To attempt to use it “to glorify God” is blasphemy…rock music began as a rebellious sexual style of music. It remains that today. It is offensive to God and to genuine Christians who love Him and seek to obey His Word, the bible…trying to unite a holy message with the unholy music of the world is an abomination in the eyes of God.

When you read about the children of Israel joining the Moabites in their celebration, can you see a parallel in the Christian church today joining in the worship celebration using the music of the world. We have been warned that this would happen before the second coming of Jesus.

Dr.Juanita Mc Elwain writes this: the same exact rhythms are used…in African and Indian music, in rock music and in music used in meetings of faith healers. The god comes, whenever he is called by anyone using those rhythms…does the god come to celebration-type worship services, when the god’s rhythms played in Christian rock music, even though the people present do not realize they are calling a god? There is quite a strong consensus that the god does come.

There are many testimonials of Christian young people who are bound by satan as they were listening to Christian rock. It has only been by sincere confession and turning away from listening to this music, asking God to cover them with His precious blood, that victory was gained. In some cases they said it took months of daily prayer and bible study to regain the Christian experience that they had lost because of the Christian music they had been listening to. The question remains, whom will you worship?

I would like to encourage you not to get lost in the apostasy at the Jordan as the children of Israel did. My primary objective in writing this article was to point people to the dangers that are surrounding us.

God has an adversary who has a plan to delude people in the name of our precious Saviour. I want to challenge you to study and pray that you will not be led by subtlety of satan. Let the Word of God be your final authority.

And if seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24: 15).

By Nettie Gill

The Seal of God and the Mark of the Beast

Only Two Classes

There can be only two classes. Each party is distinctly stamped, either with the seal of the living God, or with the mark of the beast or his image.--RH Jan. 30, 1900. {LDE 215.1}

In the great conflict between faith and unbelief the whole Christian world will be involved. All will take sides. Some apparently may not engage in the conflict on either side. They may not appear to take sides against the truth, but they will not come out boldly for Christ through fear of losing property or suffering reproach. All such are numbered with the enemies of Christ.--RH Feb. 7, 1893. {LDE 215.2}

As we near the close of time the demarcation between the children of light and the children of darkness will be more and more decided. They will be more and more at variance. This difference is expressed 216in the words of Christ, "born again"--created anew in Christ, dead to the world, and alive unto God. These are the walls of separation that divide the heavenly from the earthly and describe the difference between those who belong to the world and those who are chosen out of it, who are elect, precious in the sight of God.--Special Testimony to the Battle Creek Church (Ph 155) 3 (1882). {LDE 215.3}

Family Members Are Separated

Those who have been members of the same family are separated. A mark is placed upon the righteous. "They shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him" [Mal. 3:17]. Those who have been obedient to God's commandments will unite with the company of the saints in light. They shall enter in through the gates into the city, and have right to the tree of life. {LDE 216.1}

The one shall be taken." His name shall stand in the book of life, while those with whom he associated shall have the mark of eternal separation from God.--TM 234, 235 (1895). {LDE 216.2}

Judged by the Light We Have Received

Many who have not had the privileges that we have had will go into heaven before those who have had great light and who have not walked in it. Many have lived up to the best light they have had and will be judged accordingly.--Letter 36, 1895. {LDE 216.3}

All must wait for the appointed time, until the warning shall have gone to all parts of the world, until sufficient light and evidence have been given to every soul. Some will have less light than others, but each one will be judged according to the light received.--Ms 77, 1899. {LDE 217.1}

We have been given great light in regard to God's law. This law is the standard of character. To it man is now required to conform, and by it he will be judged in the last great day. In that day men will be dealt with according to the light they have received.--RH Jan. 1, 1901. {LDE 217.2}

Those who have had great light and have disregarded it stand in a worse position than those who have not been given so many advantages. They exalt themselves but not the Lord. The punishment inflicted on human beings will in every case be proportionate to the dishonor they have brought on God.--8MR 168 (1901). {LDE 217.3}

Everyone is to have sufficient light to make his decision intelligently.--GC 605 (1911). {LDE 217.4}

No Excuse for Willful Blindness

None will be condemned for not heeding light and knowledge that they never had, and they could not obtain. But many refuse to obey the truth that is presented to them by Christ's ambassadors, because they wish to conform to the world's standard, and the truth that has reached their understanding, the light 218that has shone in the soul, will condemn them in the judgment.--5BC 1145 (1884). {LDE 217.5}

Those who have an opportunity to hear the truth and yet take no pains to hear or understand it, thinking that if they do not hear they will not be accountable, will be judged guilty before God the same as if they had heard and rejected. There will be no excuse for those who choose to go in error when they might understand what is truth. In His sufferings and death Jesus has made atonement for all sins of ignorance, but there is no provision made for willful blindness. {LDE 218.1}

We shall not be held accountable for the light that has not reached our perception, but for that which we have resisted and refused. A man could not apprehend the truth which had never been presented to him, and therefore could not be condemned for light he had never had.--5BC 1145 (1893). {LDE 218.2}