Heathen Conspiracy :: By Bill Pierce

Published on: by RR7 Category:General Articles

Psalm 2: Part Three

INSANE: ‘Unsound in mind or intellect; mad; deranged in mind; delirious; distracted’ (Noah Webster, 1828).

CONSPIRACY: ‘A combination of men for an evil purpose; an agreement between two or more persons, to commit some crime in concert; particularly, a combination to commit treason, or excite sedition or insurrection against the government of a state; a plot; as a conspiracy against the life of a king’ (Noah Webster, 1828).

VAIN IMAGINATION OF THE HEATHEN

Psalm 2:1 “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

Unattainable imagination—The heathen rage, because: “There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked” (Isaiah 48:22; 57:21; John 14:27).

The scripture declares: “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them [their conscience]; for God hath shewed it [the creation] unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools” (Romans 1:20-22).

When the heathen give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, their conscience is “seared with a hot iron” (1Timothy 4:1-3)! Unto the heathen “that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled” (Titus 1:15). The imagination of these raging heathen is vain, unprofitable, and unattainable. David declared that the LORD will destroy them (Psalm 21:8-10), “For they intended evil against thee: they imagined a mischievous device, which they are not able to perform. Therefore shalt thou make them turn their back, when thou shalt make ready thine arrows upon thy strings against the face of them” (Psalm 21:11-12).

THE HEATHEN’S INSANE COUNSEL

Psalm 2:2-3 “The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.”

Foolish counsel—The “crafty counsel” (Psalm 83:3; 15:7) of these ignorant and blinded heathen is preposterous and unreasonable. The heathen are the descendants of “the first man Adam” (1Corinthians 15:45), who was made of dust (Genesis 3:19; Psalm 104:29). They are members of the nations, who before God “are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity.” (Isaiah 40:17)! These kings and rulers imagine to go against the counsel of “the almighty God” (Genesis 17:1; Revelation 1:8), by whom “were all things created” (Colossians 1:16), whose “greatness is unsearchable” (Psalm 145:3), whose “understanding is infinite” (Psalm 147:5), and who has “all power…in heaven and in earth” (Matthew 28:18)!

An evil confederacy—Asaph wrote that the LORD’S heathen enemies “have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate [To unite in a league; to join in a mutual contract or covenant] against thee” (Psalm 83:5). Notice that this ridiculous counsel is given by kings and rulers, who are normally the deceivers of many ordinary heathen. Speaking of the unbelieving ruling Pharisees (John 3:1; Acts 14:15), Jesus said: “Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch” (Matthew 15:14).

Speaking directly to these rulers, Jesus said: “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves” (Matthew 23:15). Jesus warned that in these last days “many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many” (Matthew 24:11). The word of God also prophesies that “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived” (2Timothy 3:13).

Reprobate mind—Reprobate means: ‘disallowed; rejected… Abandoned in sin; lost to virtue or grace’ (Noah Webster, 1828). The prophet Jeremiah said: “Reprobate silver shall men call them, because the LORD hath rejected them” (Jeremiah 6:30). It is obvious that these raging heathen know about the LORD, but they “did not like to retain God in their knowledge, [and for this reason] God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient” (Romans 1:28). The spiritual father of the heathen is “the devil” (John 6:44), “the wicked one” (Matthew 13:19), whose continuing rebellion against the LORD’S word, also exhibits the characteristics of a reprobate mind.

Foolish wisdom—The word of God declares: “For the wisdom of this world [the heathen] is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness” (1Corinthians 3:19). These particular heathen are either ignorant of this truth, or else they do not believe the word of God, when it plainly says: “There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD” (Proverbs 21:30). The scriptures also say that the LORD “is wonderful in counsel” (Isaiah 28:29), and that, “There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand” (Proverbs 19:21) Therefore the wise psalmist declared to the LORD: “Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors” (Psalm 119:24).

The word of God says: “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure” (Isaiah 46:9-10). The word of God also declares that “The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices [imaginations] of the people of none effect. The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations” (Psalm 33:10-11).

The LORD and his anointed—Anointed means Christ (Acts 4:24-30) and Messiah (John 1:41; 4:25). Therefore the LORD’S anointed (Psalm 45:7; Hebrews 1:9; Acts 10:38) is his only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Peter and John and other disciples referred to Psalm 2 when they “lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said…thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ” (Acts 4:24-30). The heathen were gathered together against the Father and his Son.

God invites every heathen—“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool” (Isaiah 1:18). Faith comes by the word of God (Romans 10:17). Therefore, read it, and “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31).

Who Are The Heathen? (Psalm 2: Part One)

Heathen History (Psalm 2: Part Two)

Actions Speak Louder Than Words :: By Grant Phillips

Published on: by RR7 Category:General Articles, Grant Phillips

I heard that saying many, many years ago in Sunday School class. I was about ten years old, and our Sunday School teacher told us boys, “Boys, always remember, your actions will always speak louder than your words.” I can’t say that I’ve always remembered it at the right times, but I have never forgotten those words.

I was reminded of it this morning when I was told of a business organization that sent an employee home one day after the employee had given their two-week notice to leave. The employee had two weeks of vacation that was due and could have taken their vacation first and then given a notice that they were leaving, but they didn’t think that would be the right thing to do. There was no reason for the employer to send the employee home other than the obvious. There have been several other incidents of this nature from this business entity. The head of this organization says he is a Christian and often boasts that they run their business as a Christian organization. I’m sorry, but your actions speak louder than your words.

Have you ever noticed how much our political leaders speak of loving and befriending others? Have you also noticed how much their hatred of any opposing view distorts their faces and almost causes them to froth at the mouth? Actions speak louder than words.

What about the entertainment industry: movie “stars,” sports “heroes,” musical “heartthrobs,” etc.? Again, they love everybody, but their hatred cannot be hidden when speaking against opposing views. Much worse than that, how about all that love talk when mention is made of Jesus? They use His name as a curse word, tossing it around like an old rag. Actions speak louder than words.

And then I listen to those dear folks speaking of loving each other, protecting animals, defending the defenseless. You know who I’m talking about … the tree huggers and save the beetle crusaders. I wonder what they think of the genocide of babies? No … that word isn’t descriptive enough. Murder? No … I know. What do they feel about the slaughter of babies? I know for a fact that most don’t have a problem with it. The mother’s “rights”? Actions still speak louder than words.

The Indians (oh, excuse me, the native Americans) used to call that speaking with a forked tongue. Well, there’s a lot of that going around. It has gotten so bad in today’s world that if someone told me it was raining outside, I’d have to look out the window first to see if it’s true.

My parents were not like that. They were pretty straightforward with what they had to say. If they told one of us youngsters while we were at church to be quiet or get a spanking when we got home, guess what we did? We got real quiet because we knew their words and their actions were in total agreement. Not so with most parents today.

I can actually remember the day when a person’s word was their bond. Contracts were validated by a handshake. Try that today and see how far it gets you. Actions speak louder than words.

Jesus said He came to die for all, and He did.

“For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

Jesus said He came to save the lost, and all who come to Him will be saved.

“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).

Jesus said He will save all who come to Him, and He does.

“All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out” (John 6:37).

Jesus said He will never condemn those who come to Him. He never has, and He will not do so.

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:1).

Jesus said He will remove His bride (the Church) before He judges the world. He is coming again.

“For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17).

Jesus said He will reward His own, and He will.

“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work” (Revelation 22:10).

Jesus said He will judge all those who do not call upon Him in belief, and He will.

“Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.

“The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:11-15).

Jesus has backed up everything He has ever said by His own actions. He also said:

“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).

“But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this” (John 8:40).

“…I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).

Jesus saves all who will come to Him, and He has backed up His words with actions … the cross … the empty grave.

Jesus is coming back for His own. His words can be trusted because He backs up everything He says with actions.

Jesus will judge the world during the Tribulation and then at the Great White Throne judgment. Rest assured, it will happen, and it may be much sooner than any of us realize. All who come to Him now will not suffer wrath.

“For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:9-11).

God has shown over and over that He always does what He says. His words and His actions are always true to each other. Can that be said of us?

Grant Phillips

Email: Phillip5769@twc.com

Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com

Rapture Ready: https://www.raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips.html