General Articles

Not In A Million Billion Years :: By Dave Hubley

Published on: by RR10

(There is a special message at the end of this article for those who might happen to read this and do not have Jesus in their life and are looking for peace and a way to better understand the present-day insanity and confusion.)

Several years ago, I had a conversation with a guy in a waiting room while getting an oil change (in the car, not me).

I don’t recall exactly how the conversation originated or how it progressed, but I have never forgotten it. As I recall, it had something to do with evolution and an article that was contained in a “waiting room magazine” that was available there.

He made the observation that God was “something that man had made up.” I can’t recall the exact reason he used to justify his opinion, but it had something to do with the usual reasons people give: Weak-willed people needing a crutch, and blah, blah, blah.

I engaged him in a “witness,” that there is no empirical evidence to support evolution, and there was more evidence for creation by God than there was to support Darwin’s claim.

Rather than be confrontational, I pointed out the differences between man (love, writing, and speech) and animals and tried to get him thinking about those differences.

As so often happens under those circumstances, there were distractions and interruptions; time ran out, and we parted ways. When I looked around, I noticed two ladies sitting there as well, and they were both smiling. Who knows what the Spirit may have done after that moment? I could only hope. And pray.

I have often wondered about him and if the Spirit had been able to work with his spirit to bring about a change. I hope so, as he was so clearly deceived and lost.

There are multitudes of reasons, excuses, and justifications people use when they make this claim. Many of us have heard them or their variants over the years if we are actively witnessing out “in the world.”

Yesterday, the Spirit brought that conversation back to the front of my memory, coupled with the current state of the world and how the “leadership” of the WEF (World Economic Forum) has just recently announced that God is dead (where have we heard that before?) and that they are acquiring “divine” powers and the power to “create.”

[ https://newspunch.com/klaus-schwab-god-is-dead-and-the-wef-is-acquiring-divine-powers/ ]

I was reminded of the impossibility of man and the absurdity of him thinking he could “make up” God. It also occurs to me to wonder: What will be the source of these “divine” powers?

God Himself declares in Isaiah, as well as numerous other places in His Word, that He will NOT share His Glory with another.

That thought had occurred to me back when the conversation in the waiting room took place, but not with such clarity as it has now in this age of depravity, rampant humanism, and open and outright hatred of God and His Created Order.

Man has, over the long (to us) history of humankind, indeed “made up” many “gods.”

These “objects of worship/idols” share characteristics that many of us have heard of before, especially in recent years of increased “spirituality.”

Here is an abbreviated list that might bring these false deities to mind:

  • A “god” that instills fear, punishment, anxiety, and, most terrifying, vaguely defined requirements that are only presented in general terms with no clear path to the adherent or what they specifically are and how to achieve them. This common, man-made “god” rules by way of constant threats of a capricious and vicious anger when “displeased.”
  • A “god” that promises the adherent that they can achieve some sort of godhood or continued existence (better – IF you’re good enough, or worse, if you are Not), if they meet some vaguely defined standards of earthly conduct. Who defines those standards is most often mysterious and somewhat vague (in other words, they are human standards).
  • There are, as stated, many more conditions, commands, threats, and promises that are part of man-made “religions” that are too numerous to list here.

In each case, there is a requirement for rituals and other outward actions in order to satisfy and satiate the capricious man-made “god”; however, there is no indication that this man-made “god” is, in fact, satisfied. So, the fear and uncertainty continue.

Why all these similarities to humans? It is because they mirror the capricious requirements of and actions of godless human rulers when they assume power. Human rulers may indicate that you are forgiven; however, can you really be certain?

Is every day not filled with a steady stream of lies and human deception? However:

“God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” (Numbers 23:19).

Now to the crux of this article.

It is the conspicuous absence of the characteristics of the True and Living God in these man-made mimicries that is the most convincing evidence of their falsehood.

Let’s examine this short but unique list of characteristics of the One True God that no fraudulent, human-created “god” would or could ever possess.

These are the characteristics that would never have occurred to man in a million billion years.

Why? Because every single one is grounded in Love. Real, purposeful, and genuine Love. Not love as man has come to define it, but as God does.

  • Substitutionary Death: How can one comprehend this? God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of the Living God, who willingly submitted to an undeserved death to pay the penalty for sinful man. This was planned before the creation of the world and at the time of God’s choosing, and it was fulfilled at the appointed time.
  • Forgiveness: The genuine promise, always kept, of forgiveness for penitent hearts who confess sins and willingly receive Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.
  • Grace: Undeserved favor and Mercy given by the God of Love to sinful man.
  • Mercy: Withholding punishment for sin until the Savior would appear and pay the cost for all who would receive Him as Lord. And continuing to withhold judgment until the “appointed time,” when God WILL execute it.
  • Restoration: Forgiveness of sins confessed to God and reinstatement of that repentant soul to their former status as Justified in God’s sight.
  • Trustworthy Promises: These, once made, are always kept and never broken.

“As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12).

God’s promise of forgiveness to penitent, confessing sinners whether they be saved or unsaved, is not subject to question despite human uncertainty or doubt. It is a promise of God and is, therefore, Truth.

  • Righteous Anger: Not capricious or petulant but regulated and executed in a measured and sober manner and after much warning and patience.
  • Prophecy; the Signature of the One True God that only He can assign.

“Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure, Calling a bird of prey from the east, The man who executes My counsel, from a far country. Indeed, I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it (Isaiah 46:9-11).

And indeed, He has done it! The Word of God is abundant with prophetic declarations from Genesis to Revelation.

No man-created “holy writings” have ever even dared to “Declare the end from the beginning,” as has the Bible.

Neither do these man-made “gods” possess the power to bring them about.

What further proof would one need? Hundreds of them have been fulfilled up to this point in time, and every single one of them in minute detail.

The mathematical odds of this would be outside the realms of possibility except for the sovereignty and power of the One True God. El Shaddai – God Almighty.

“But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him'” (1 Cor 2:9). Emphasis added by me.

The above verse applies to the wonders of God’s Eternal Kingdom, His plans for those who have received the blessing of eternal life through Jesus Christ’s redeeming sacrifice, and who have received Him as Savior and Lord. It is a promise made to all who will dwell with Him forever, as He has promised.

At the same time, I believe that the same condition of the earth-bound human’s inability to comprehend the wonders of God in the eternal construct lends proof to the claim that it is completely beyond human capability to even begin to imagine a “god” that could approach the actual Sovereign and Only God that has made Himself known to His creation through His Written Word, His creation, and most wonderful of all, His virgin- born and sinless Son, Jesus Christ.

So, if you should happen to be reading this and have not embraced the joy and peace of knowing the One True God through His Son – if you have placed your trust in a man-imagined “god” who is powerless to save or made yourself into your own “god” – if you have placed your eternal soul in any other place than Jesus Christ who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life as He promised – and if you still draw breath in this life, it is not too late. He does not turn anyone away who earnestly seeks Him.

I think that you know in your inmost being that you need something but perhaps are not sure what that something is.

That “something” is Someone, and that Someone is waiting for you to call to Him.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20).

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

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).

The special message I promised you:

For anyone who may read this article and has not trusted in Jesus Christ and therefore has no hope or peace in your life:

You can have hope. You can have the peace that Jesus has promised to all who have made Him their Lord and Savior. The peace that passes understanding.

It requires that you come before God on His terms.

And, what are His terms according to His Word?

  • Genuine repentance (turning to God instead of continuing to reject or ignore Him).
  • Confession of sins (that you are a sinner and acknowledge that to God).
  • That you understand that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).
  • To acknowledge to God that you are unable to pay that debt.
  • Belief that Jesus Christ paid your death sentence for you on the cross.
  • To believe that Jesus is the Way, the only Way, that God has established by which humans may be saved from the consequences of their sin and rebellion.

God has made it absolutely clear that there is no one who comes before Him, under His terms, that will be refused.

  • No one: no race, no color, no country of origin, regardless of any previous belief system: no one.
  • No matter what your past sins have been, God can and WILL forgive you because He says He will.
  • Salvation is available to everyone without any exceptions.

If you put all your trust for salvation in Jesus, and Him only, you can follow that prayer up by simply saying, “Thank you, Father God, for hearing my prayer and saving me,” because we can trust Him to keep His Word. He always has. He always will.

“Truly, Truly, I say to you that he who hears My words and believes the One who sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned. He has crossed from death to life (John 5:24).

There are no answers and there is no hope in the world by governments, organizations, politics, or politicians. There are only lies and deception. But you can have the Truth and the peace you seek.

The answers are in the Word of God—The Bible. If you ask God with all your heart, He will hear you.

“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13).

Pro Salvator Vigilans

To contact me: canoeman96@gmail.com

 

Christians Using Science Badly: Part 2 :: By Wilfred Hahn

Published on: by RR10

Christians Using Science Badly: Part 2 :: By Wilfred Hahn

Reviewing the “facts” that we cited in Part 1, we noted the hyperbole and downright dishonesty in some instances to support global warming claims. Why is there such bias?

Money Precedes Truth

Global warming has become big business. Armies of global consultants are peddling false information because it is profitable to do so. Many claimed urgencies are exaggerated by factors of 10X … indeed, 200X in some instances and more. Governments are particularly susceptible to this hype, promising infrastructure programs estimated to cost upwards of trillions of dollars.

According to a new report,1 an estimated $3.4 trillion will be invested in renewable energy during the next decade, including $2.72 trillion in wind and solar. By 2030, 54.1% of installed capacity will be renewable (including hydropower), and 37.9% will be a combination of solar and wind.

This is big business. As such, the dog will not easily give up his bone.

In recent decades, much corruption has come to the surface in the field of science. Scientists do work under many pressures. For example, they must continue to attract funding for their research projects. Moreover, the field of science is very competitive.

We must give credit to the many scholars who do strive for valid and honest conclusions in their research. However, it must be admitted that people wearing white frocks are no more virtuous than anyone else. They are just as subject to the temptations of greed and ambition.

Out of Doom: Is Good News Possible?

To this point, our focus has been on alarmism and the predictions of certain doom for earth. To be balanced, however, we should at least briefly identify some offsetting positives. We list six such trends—out of many more that we could cite. (Again, page references to Dr. Koonin’s observations are shown in parenthesis.)

Good News #1: “[…] Since 1961 […] the per capita supply of vegetable oils and meat has more than doubled, and the supply of food calories per capita has increased by about one-third” (p. 172).

Good News #2: “[…] Deaths due to famine have averaged about two to four per 100,000 since 1980; the rate was ten to twenty times larger in the first half of the twentieth century” (p. 172).

Good News #3: “[…] In the fifty years from 1961 to 2011, global yields of wheat, rice, and maize (corn) have each more than doubled, and US corn yields have more than tripled” (p. 173).

Good News #4: “[…] The increasing concentration of carbon dioxide has been a significant factor in yield improvements, as it boosts the rate of photosynthesis and alters plant physiology to use water more efficiently” (p. 173).

Good News #5: According to the Center for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED), “weather-related death rates fell dramatically during the past one hundred years as the globe warmed 1.2° C (2.2° F); they’re about 80 times less frequent today than they were a century ago” (p. 169).

Good News #6: “Increasing CO2 [carbon dioxide] in the atmosphere had also fertilized the natural world […] during the past four decades; the Leaf Area Index (the fractional area [of earth] covered by leaves) observed by satellites has increased markedly (‘greened’) over 25-50 percent of the vegetated areas of [the] globe, while it has decreased (‘browned’) over less than 4 percent of the globe” (pp. 173-174).

Reviewing the above-cited “good news,” readers will agree that conditions today are not as bad as they may seem. That’s not to say that the world is problem-free.

Interpreting & Fitting Eschatological Facts

In Part 1, we first castigated Christians for misappropriating prophetic “signs of the times” (occurrences mentioned in the Bible but misinterpreted or chronologically misplaced), though there is no biblical evidence at all.

To illustrate, earthquakes are a biblically legitimate end-time trend but misplaced chronologically.

Earthquakes are indeed mentioned in the Bible, with prophetic applications of several kinds. The most well-known reference is found in the Olivet Discourse. All three accounts of the Olivet Discourse or portions thereof (found in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21) confirm the future occurrence of earthquakes.

The Olivet prophecies mention other end-time phenomena occurring besides earthquakes. When the disciples asked Christ, “When shall these things be?” He said the following: “And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:6-8, KJV).

Definitely, the Bible states that an increase in the frequency of earthquakes yet lies ahead for the world. Actually, there are two distinct groups of earthquakes that are yet to occur. First, there is the heightened earthquake activity that unfolds in the first half of the Tribulation period … namely, the time before the “beginning of sorrows,” but after “the end” has started. This contrasts with the trends before “the end is not yet” … which, for example, applies to increasing rumors.

The second period of earthquakes is comprised of five separate occurrences that are mentioned in the Book of Revelation. All of these follow the fifth seal, therefore falling into the Great Tribulation period (namely, the latter 42 months of the 7-year Tribulation). Among this latter group, the biggest earthquake of all time is mentioned (see Revelation 16:18).

Despite this being very clear, some prophecy interpreters insist that an increase in earthquakes is already occurring today. This cannot be, as Christ’s statement places the surge in earthquakes in the first half of the Tribulation. (There are intense debates about this topic.) Many overlook Scripture on this point and make their case on evidence of rising earthquake activity today. However, the facts say no.

The U.S. Geological Survey provides information on earthquake activity worldwide.2 As we had noted in earlier examinations of its data, the frequency of large earthquakes is not increasing today. No statistically valid case can be made to support the conclusion that the number of big earthquakes is rising … yet.

Hot Winds?

Returning to our examination of the “global warming” trend today, the penultimate question that begs an answer is this: Are human beings causing climate changes … and do any of these changes lead to “global warming” or other related manifestations? The honest answer from scientists must be this: Nobody knows for sure.

Christians must be similarly careful in their debates with “climate change” advocates. For one, we should be sure of our facts and Scripture. An example is this statement by Dr. Koonin: “Without a doubt, carbon emissions are indeed rising [carbon dioxide and methane mainly] and continue to do so. This cannot be denied.”

Many Christian opponents simply choose to deny this fact … unnecessarily losing credibility. Yet the great debate remains: Do these emissions, which are floating around in the earth’s atmosphere, actually contribute to “global warming”? As mentioned, no one has a sure answer. The facts are inconclusive.

But these facts we can know: There indeed are trends that, if they should continue another 100 years or more, would be disconcerting. Yet, it is also obvious that global warming predictions have been shamelessly exaggerated.

For the time being, there is no global warming crisis.

The second fact we can know with certainty is this: The potential for the earth’s destruction due to climate changes was apparently not deemed important enough to merit a place in the body of Bible prophecy.

Thus, is it logical for the entire world to be moribund with fear about a development that was not first told to the prophets? “Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7).

Thoughts to Ponder

Can it really be that the multiplicity of stakeholders in climate matters—scientists, scientific institutions, activists and NGOs, the media, politicians—are all contributing to misinformation in the matter of climate change? Yes, this is clearly possible.

To say otherwise assumes that one can present a case that mankind caused “global warming.” As the case may be, secular scientists to date have not been able to prove that just such a relationship exists. Yes, emissions continue to rise (as already mentioned), and the earth has warmed a very modest amount over the last century. But no linkages to warming can be proven.

What, then, does the Bible say about global warming? This writer believes the answer is “nothing,” simply for the reason that it is not mentioned in the Bible.

Many prophecy teachers have mistakenly become caught up in “global warming” exaggerations and untruths. They attribute what they see as “climate change” to be an end-time development. This is wrong …. in fact, twice over. First, they, in effect, agree with the contrived allegations and conclusions of “extremist” global warming advocates. Second, they incorrectly identify “signs of the times” and force them into their own alarmist and prophetic timelines. And, practically, if it were not for the effects of higher emissions of CO2 over the past decades, just how many more people would have died from famines due to lower crop yields?

—

Wilfred J. Hahn is a global economist/strategist. Formerly a top-ranked global analyst, research director for a major Wall Street investment bank, and head of Canada’s largest global investment operation, his writings focus on the endtime roles of money, economics and globalization. He has been quoted around the world and his writings reproduced in numerous other publications and languages. His 2002 book The Endtime Money Snare: How to live free accurately anticipated and prepared its readers for the Global Financial Crisis. A following book, Global Financial Apocalypse Prophesied: Preserving true riches in an age of deception and trouble, looks further into the prophetic future.

Contact Wilfred at: staff@eternalvalue.com

1 Frost & Sullivan, “Growth Opportunities from Decarbonization in the Global Power Market,” 2019—2030

2 https://www.usgs.gov/programs/earthquake-hazards/earthquakes