Beware of Symbols

My friends, do you know that symbol has its own meaning and it help us to give a brief overview and basic understand about group, society, or anything? When you are asked to design a symbol for your project, etc. You spent hours, even days, try your best to find the best logo that can fit exactly with what you want to present, to introduce to people so that by looking at your symbol, people will have a glimpe of message you want to pass. Symbol must have meaning, right? For example:

Atheist Group Symbol

Antichrist Symbol

Peace Symbol

But if you see carefully, you will be surprise and wonder, why peace symbol is one of the antichrist symbol? It happened because peace that they try to gather is deceptive peace, the Peace of the World. Peace that will never happened. Bible said that the world will never be in peace, but on contrary it will getting worse and worse.

Matthew 24:7, 12

Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.

The peace that you are looking for can only be obtained in God, in Jesus Christ.

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you: not as the world gives, give I to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

I want to make us more aware about other symbol that are there and many of them have bad motive for our faith, since conciously or unconciously, they have their own purpose.

1. Baphomet

In the 19th century, the name of Baphomet became associated with occult. Baphomet "The Sabbatic Goat", showing a winged humanoid goat with a pair of breasts and a torch on its head between its horns. This image has become the best-known representation of Baphomet.

"The goat on the frontispiece carries the sign of the pentagram on the forehead, with one point at the top, a symbol of light, his two hands forming the sign of hermetism, the one pointing up to the white moon of Chesed, the other pointing down to the black one of Geburah. Baphomet, as Lévi's illustration suggests, has occasionally been portrayed as a synonym of Satan or a demon, a member of the hierarchy of Hell. Christian evangelist Jack Chick claims that Baphomet is a demon worshipped by Freemasons.

George Washington, US and Freemason

2. Pentagram

Pentagrams were used symbolically in ancient Greece and Babylonia. The pentagram has magical associations, and many people who practice Neopagan faiths wear jewelry incorporating the symbol. Catholic once more commonly used the pentagram to represent the five wounds of Jesus, and it also has associations within Freemasonry.

The pentagram has long been associated with the planet Venus, and the worship of the goddess Venus, or her equivalent. It is also associated with the Roman word lucifer, which was a term used for Venus as the Morning Star, associated with the bringer of light and knowledge.

US Pentagon

US Republican Party (can you see the stars there?

Can you see also the word M-A-S-O-N there? Does US have relation with Freemason?

3. Satanic Salute

The "El Diablo" hand sign often is confused with the deaf hand signal of the phrase, "I love you." The person who invented or created this hand sign system for the deaf, Helen Keller, was herself an occultist and Theosophist. Did Keller purposely design the deaf's "I love you" sign to be such a remarkable imitation of the classic sign of Satan? Was Keller saying, basically, "I love you, Devil?" -Texe Marrs (See CODEX MAGICA).

Do you think it was coincidence? For me, it is difficult to give that sign unless I do it conciously, how about you? Do they really want to give message to others that understand? You should know about Freemason, Illuminati, Bilderberg Group, Skull and Bones Society, Council of Foreign Relationship, etc.

France President Sarcozy

Benny Hinn

Bill Clinton

Hillary Clinton

Silvio Berlusconi

King Abdullah and Putin

A Satanic Ritual

4. Inverted Cross

According to Exposing Satanism, the "Upside Down Cross - Symbolizes mockery and rejection of Jesus. Necklaces are worn by many satanist's. It can be seen on Rock singers and their album covers." A self-professed Satanist says-- The Baphomet is the official symbol of the Church Of Satan, but many Satanists use the inverted cross to symbolize their dislike of Christianity. It's modern meaning has came to mean "anti-Christian" and it is used and recognized as such in today's world.

Can you see inverted cross behind the Pope? Are Roman Catholic Church = Antichrist church?

5. Mother and Child Worship

The story of the mother and child was widely known in ancient Babylon and developed into an established worship. Numerous monuments of Babylon show the goddess mother Semiramis with her child Tammuz in her arms. When the people of Babylon were scattered to the various parts of the earth, they carried the worship of the divine mother and her child with them. This explains why many nations worshipped a mother and child in one form or another centuries before the true savior, Jesus Christ, was born into this world! In the various countries where this worship spread, the mother and child were called by different names, for, we will recall, language was confused at Babel.

The Chinese had a mother goddess called Shingmoo or the "Holy Mother." She is pictured with child in arms and rays of glory around her head.

The ancient Germans worshipped the virgin Hertha with child in arms. The Scandinavians called her Disa who was also pictured with a child. The Etruscans called her Nutria, and among the Druids the Virgo-Patitura was worshipped as the "Mother of God." In India, she was known as Indrani, who was also represented with child in arms.

The mother goddess was known as Aphodite or Ceres to the Greeks; Nana, to the Sumerians; and as Venus or Fortuna to her devotees in the olden days of Rome, and her child as Jupiter. At one time the mother and child were known as Devaki and Crishna. For ages, Isi, the "Great Goddess" and her child Iswara, have been worshipped in India where temples were erected for their worship.

In Asia, the mother was known as Cybele and the child as Deoius. "But regardless of her name or place", says one writer, "she was the wife of Baal, the virgin queen of heaven, who born fruit although she never conceived."

In Roman Catholic Church

6. Apollos (Sun god of Greek)

In Greek and Roman mythology, Apollo, is one of the most important and many-sided of the Olympian deities. The ideal of the kouros (a beardless youth), Apollo has been variously recognized as a god of light and the sun; truth and prophecy; archery; medicine and healing; music, poetry, and the arts; and more. Apollo is the son of Zeus and Leto, and has a twin sister, the chaste huntress Artemis. Apollo is known in Greek-influenced Etruscan mythology as Apulu. Apollo was worshipped in both ancient Greek and Roman religion, as well as in the modern Hellenic neopaganism.

7. Egypt Sun god Ra

Ra (pronounced Rah) and sometimes as, Rê, is an ancient Egyptian sun god. By the fifth dynasty he became a major deity in ancient Egyptian religion, identified primarily with the mid-day sun, with other deities representing other positions of the sun. Ra changed greatly over time and in one form or another, much later he was said to represent the sun at all times of the day. The chief cult centre of Ra first was based in Heliopolis (ancient Inunu) meaning "City of the Sun."

Why Host must circle? Did Jesus break the bread in circle? Why if that host is symbol of sun god, you are deceived to worship sun god by that institution.

Or why behind the head of Jesus and other saints there is always bright circle like sun again?

To tell you the truth, Roman Catholic church doesn't teach you what written in the Bible. They teach another Christ, another Jesus, another Peter, another Mary, etc. For them, God is cold hearted, you can't go to him by yourself. You need somebody to venerate for you. Do you want to know where that teaching came from?

8. Jupiter (king of gods)

In Roman mythology, Jupiter was the king of the gods, and the god of sky and thunder. He is the equivalent of Zeus in the Greek pantheon. He was called Iuppiter Optimus Maximus (Jupiter Best, Greatest); as the patron deity of the Roman state, he ruled over laws and social order. He was the chief god of the Capitoline Triad, with Juno and Minerva. In Latin mythology Jupiter is the father of the god Mars. Therefore, Jupiter is the grandfather of Romulus and Remus, the legendary founders of Rome. Jupiter was venerated in ancient Roman religion, and is still venerated in Religio Romana Neopaganism.

Who venerate to Jupiter? The answer is Venus.

Mary

Can you see the cresent moon under Mary's feet and stars above her head? Why cresent moon and star? Do you still remember Baphomet picture with also cresent moon and star? Or do you remember Islam symbol? Is there any connection between Catholicism and Islam?

Who possess the position of Jupiter in Roman Catholic Church?

Peter (they made him as the first Pope)

9. Wheel of Sun

At left is a pagan sun wheel in the temple at Kararak India, which is associated with occultism and astrology. It resembles a chariot wheel doesn't it?

10. Obelisk

The obelisk symbolized the sun god Amon Re, and during the brief religious reformation of Akhenaten was said to be a petrified ray of the Aten, the sundisk. It was also thought that the god existed within the structure.

11. Dagon (Fish god)

Dagon was a major northwest Semitic god, reportedly of grain and agriculture. He was worshipped by the early Amorites and by the inhabitants of the cities of Ebla and Ugarit (which was an ancient city near the Mediterranean containing a large variety of ancient writings and pagan shrines). He was also a major member, or perhaps head, of the pantheon of the Biblical Philistines.

Triple deck hat

Ichthys (Greek: ἰχθύς, capitalized ΙΧΘΥΣ; also transliterated and Latinized as ichthys, icthus, ichthus or ikhthus; ichthus), is the Ancient and Classical Greek word for "fish." In English it refers to a symbol consisting of two intersecting arcs, the ends of the right side extending beyond the meeting point so as to resemble the profile of a fish, said to have been used by early Christians as a secret symbol.

Fishhead hat

And if you see the hat from above, you will see an eye.

12. Eye of Horus

Horus was an ancient Egyptian sky god in the form of a falcon. The right eye represents a Peregrine Falcon's eye and the markings around it, that includes the "teardrop" marking sometimes found below the eye. As the wadjet (also udjat or utchat), it also represented the sun, and was associated with Horus' mother, Isis, and with Wadjet another goddess, as well as the sun deity Ra (Re).

Be careful with one eye symbol. This is the symbol of Masonic, One World Order, One World Order. They will try to make you compromise with your own faith, to accept difference among believers and unbelievers. Ecumenical Movement.

13. Animal (Lion) Worship

Maahes, God of War and Protection, The Leonine Lord of Slaughter

Maahes (Mahes, Mihos, Miysis, Mysis) was the ancient Egyptian lion-god of war. Both a god of war and a guardian and a lord of the horizon. He was believed to help Ra fight against Apep in the solar barque each night, a god who protected the pharaoh while he was in battle. By Greek times, he was attributed as being a god of storms and winds. He also had links to perfumes and oils. Maahes was a god who seems to have first appeared in the New Kingdom, and is thought to have been a deity of foreign origin.

Can you see 2 lions there?

And this is Monument to Pope Clement XIII. Can you see 2 lions too?

14. Ankh (Egypt Cross)

The ankh was the Egyptian hieroglyphic character that read "life," a triliteral sign for the consonants ˁ-n-ḫ. Egyptian gods are often portrayed carrying it by its loop, or bearing one in each hand, arms crossed over their chest. It is also known as the Egyptian Cross, the key of life, the key of the Nile, or as crux ansata, Latin for "cross with a handle".

The ankh appears to be associated with the Egyptian glyph for magical protection, sa. However, what the sign itself represents is disputed.

Catholic cross

Is not that the same?

15. Praying beads

Prayer beads are traditionally used to keep count of the repetitions of prayers, chants or devotions by adherents of religion. Since the beads can be fingered in an automatic manner, they allow one to keep track of how many prayers have been said with a minimal amount of conscious effort, which in turn allows greater attention to be paid to the prayers themselves.

There are three widely accepted uses for prayer beads:

1. Repetition of the same devotion a set (usually large) number of times. This is the earliest form of prayer beads (the Japa Mala) and the earliest Christian form (the prayer rope). This is also the type in use by the Bahá'í Faith
2. Repetition of several different prayers in some pattern, possibly interspersed with or accompanied by meditations.
3. Meditation on a series of spiritual themes, e.g. Islam.

Isaiah 1:15-16

And when you spread forth your hands, I will hide my eyes from you: yes, when you make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil.

16. Swastika

The Swastika seems to have been first used in Neolithic India. Archaeological evidence of swastika-shaped ornaments dates from the Neolithic period. An ancient symbol, it occurs mainly in the cultures that are in modern day India and the surrounding area, sometimes as a geometrical motif (as in the Roman Republic and Empire) and sometimes as a religious symbol. It was long widely used in major world religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.

Do you think that Hitler is atheist? Nope, he was a devoted Catholic. He killed the Jewish people because since long, the Jewish always resist this antichrist church to take control over Jerusalem.

Wow, Pope was like king of the earth. No wonder, they are called Vicar of Christ (Christ Representative). Do Bible said something about that? Nope, they are self proclaiming. We are part of the saints of Christ, not Pope. Every born again Christian are God's friends, God's children.

1 Peter 2:9-12

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light; 10Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

17. Sig Rune

The SS Sig Runes design was created in 1931 when Walter Heck, a Sturmführer in the SS, drew two reversed and inverted Sig Runes side by side and noticed the similarity to the initials of the SS. Heck sold the rights of the Sig Runes to the SS for 2.5 Reichsmarks, and the runes were quickly adopted as the insignia of the Schutzstaffel and became one of the most commonly used forms of SS unit insignia.

Marilyn Manson Concert

So, my friends. After you saw so many symbols up there. What you need to do is to always test the spirits and also don't exchange the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles (Romans 1:23)

My Family's Big Testimony (Part III)

First of all, I want to say sorry for the delay about our testimony. I have testified on 20 July 2008 that God will do something to our family in short future.

Yes, God really did bring the truth to us. He is faithful God. He used polices to investigate that matter. And because of that, we finally knew that many conspiration were made behind my father's back within that bank and when problem came, they blamed all the guilt to my father as manager. The problem is getting worse for us because many employees work there were accepted through this vice manager (VM), even his cousin work there. And they cooperate together to take the money from the bank since long. This VM has his own people there.

That $400000 not disappeared within one day, but years. They manipulated the account and files, and my father didn't know about that. I wonder why my father can't notice it, either the conspiracy is too great or my father's poor control. He has worked for 32 years in that bank and more than 10 years with this VM. He should have great experience and senses if something wrong within the bank. The only reason that I can think of is that my father trusted him so much and he also want to be stress-free. I will not defend my father for this.

I learned from this situation that people are just men, not God, they have flesh desire, no matter how good the people were, they can change to evil, especially for those who don't fear God. Bible said, 'For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light (Luke 16:8). If you trust so much to ungodly person, it is easier for Devil to win his heart, and he became 'a snake in the grass'.

All of the staffs were called by police to be investigated. The investigation started from cleric position till my father in the end. And as predicted, these people united together to blame everything to my father. They manufactured lies. I testify the truth because later, in the next investigation, when the police brought my father and those staffs together within the same room to be cross-checked, all of their lies don't have strong ground.

First Investigation

During the first investigation of this VM, he brought his lawyer to the police department. There he was investigated for the whole day, and made the police confused with his complicated answers. I wonder how can he still have money to pay the lawyer. Because in our condition, we have lost everything: house, car, deposit, even our good name. But on the other hand, he refused to give his house, his car up to the bank, his family still lived in that house even until now. We gave up our house to the bank since May 2008.

And in my father cases, we can't afford to pay the lawyer. I said to my father, 'Father, don't be afraid, believe in God, just speak the truth to the police for the Bible said, Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit (Mark 13:11).

And he went to the police station with my mom. Holy Spirit is our lawyer. There he was investigated and my mom sat behind, prayed to Jesus. Investigation lasted for only half day and the police thanked my father for his straight forward answers, but he suggested him that he brought lawyer in the next investigation next week.

Second Investigation

Not long after that, because of the false testimonies, my father's status was raised to 'suspect', not as 'witness' again. The police said that this VM has admitted that he took the money, but since the money all gone, the bank's owner as litigant wanted my father and his VM to be brought to the court. The legal claim for my father is his lack of control, responsibility. And for his VM is robbery. So on 13 August, in the second investigation, it was decided to put them in prison while waiting for the court. It was said that the longest time in the prison is 20x24 hours (20 days).

Being in Prison

Since 13 August 2008 till now, my father is in the prison. He is the oldest there, 54 years old. He is with other 15 prisoners. He must sleep on the floor, without anything. My mom tried to bring him blanket, but the police refused with reason: it is dangerous, some people could be so stressful and use that blanket to kill others, bla..bla..bla..

The problem getting worse since then. Indonesia is a corrupt country, even in the police department, or at least in my city. The polices are no different with the prisoners. Each visitors must pay them sum of money otherwise they can't see the prisoner, and each day every prisoner must pay for their own safety too. There is the law written in their office that visiting is free of charge, but in practical, they never read that. Since my father was under civil suit not crime suit, he was put in the 'safer' cell.

The polices threaten him, 'You need to give us this sum of money or you will be transferred to the cell for crime suit (with raper, killer, drug dealer, etc). And every kind of attempt to tell the people outside about this corrupt system, you will have to pay the price (beaten, shot, hair cut bald, left naked).' They even said more to each prisoner, 'You, prisoners, are much better than us, we need to guard you, give you food, sleep on sofa days and nights, but you just stay in the cell doing nothing. Our life is already difficult, so if you tell people outside about this, it would be better if we not go down alone, we would bring you down together too. You will suffer.'

For your consideration, in Indonesia, bachelor's salary is about $150 per month, and the only person who works in my family is my sister. But the police demand about $5-6/day for my father's safety, and each $2-3/visitor, so if my mother want to see my father, at least $7 per day/visit. Each day the money should be given to them. And once my father paid late, they brought him to their office to call home, just asking my mother to send them money, and it charge $1 for no more than 1 minute phone call. Every time, the police asked my father, 'Is the money still come regularly?' And again, they broke the rule, my father has been there for more than 20 days. Those polices are wicked being. They reasoned that my father need to be put longer since the investigation has not finished yet. They just want money, don't they? Can you imagine our situation, my friends?

The polices in my city are not stupid. They know the government is eyeing them. That's why they worked undercover. They choose one influential prisoner in each cell, and this is the person who collect the money for them. There is a situation when one prisoner can't afford to pay more, the police put him to crime suit cell and let the prisoners there deal with him, cut his hair bald, made him naked, beaten, kicked, etc, etc. They smoke inside the cell. Can you imagine the situation? My father has stopped smoking since 14 years ago, but now he is forced to be second smoke. God, have mercy on my father. This is just prison on earth, can you imagine HELL?

Because of this situation, I also hold myself. I think first about my father's safety. I am sorry for the delay. But thanks be to God. He moved people's heart that we never know. He connected us with people. Now we have good and brave lawyer, somebody paid him for us, this lawyer asked my mother, 'Will you sue those police officers?' But because of many thing that need to be considered, she chose to continue to pay them each day, she was afraid of my father's safety. I lied not here. It really happened in front of my father's eyes. And I praise God for the wisdom God gave to my mother. I know now that the money she paid to the polices is to buy us time.

With time, recently we also know one great Colonel through our brethrens, he is born again Christian. He was brought low by God because of his wrongdoing, but then, once he repented, God raise him up even more than before. He hold strong to the truth. He will help us if there is something bad happen to my father. The time of God is perfect. He has provided us everything necessary to fight back. God has brought us all the important puzzles to draw a good picture, called 'God is Mighty in the Battles'. God cares about my father's safety, He used many people around us to help financially (to pay the police) until we are ready to fight. I can't stop stand in awe for His work, His way. Bible said, 'And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). Now, if something bad happened to my father, they are the one who will pay the price, for God is with us.

Here and now, I declare a war with the bank owner. For he threatened my father with family issues (to harm us, they also said it is easy to remove my father's life forever, bla..bla..bla..). And because of that my father signed everything given to him, that was full of lies. He with his mafias, beat my father with telephone book, made him suffer. And because of that signature, he now has good base to accuse my father. They also delayed the situation for so long (more than 7 month) until we lost every resources to fight them, we suffer, we can't afford to pay the lawyer or anything, then, after he saw us in miserable situation, they sue us. It is like David versus Goliath. One man versus Bank owner.

He never knew in the Bible that God made Nebuchadnezzar a beast for 7 years, he never knew that angel of God struct Herod down and eaten by worm and died when their pride had popped up. He never knew that he dealt with the wrong family, with godly family. I don't want to curse him, but I let God alone deal with his wickedness. I always pray for him, 'Repent or perish' like the Bible said in Luke 13:1-9. Each person in this world only has this 2 options in their life, Repent and got saved or perish and got damped in hell, no third option.

And I also want to declare war with the polices that God will judge them justly. These people should reap what they sow. God will make them regret doing that. If we let those people continue their wickedness, they will just make other civilians suffer too. I hope that God will remove them from that system, bring them low until they repent and cry out to the Lord for mercy. The police department should be filled with god-feared men, they should be the defender of the fatherless and the poor, not gain control over the weak.

My father's case will be brought to the court in short future. Though it seems impossible if I use my own wisdom for an ant to face an elephant, but I always believe, I have faith that God is Mighty. For nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37).

My God is Mighty in the Battle, He never lost any war, one of his angel can destroy the great multitude of enemy. He is Defender of His children. If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)

My brethrens, please pray for my family's matter that God will bring justice to those people and God show mercy to my father for his error.

I am happy that now my father is a devoted Christian, even in the prison, he read Bible and always pray. He always cries to God for mercy. And my mother's faith can move the mountain. God always want to see her pray and talk to Him, she is always waken up in the midnight and spend hours in pray. My brothers and sister, God always try to convince them, and they are learning to know God closer too.

Ooo..my God, I thank you that you bring revival in my family. I always want to meet my family again in heaven and you answer my prayers through this problems. I love you, Jesus. I will stand strong in my faith and my calling. To make her (God's churches) holy, cleansing her by washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless (Ephesians 5:26-27).

God is our Stronghold. our Rock, our Defender. Praise be to God. Amen

Persecution: Something that every born again Christian should know

Couple of weeks ago, I got the message from one of my sisters about persecution in India. I was shock, I was sad, but I also tried to encourage myself. I said to myself, "Alvin, sooner or later, you will face it as well. Are you ready?" Because the Bible said so, 'In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (2 Timothy 3:12).

John 15:20

'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.

My friends, have you ever read in the Bible how the prophets of Old Testament lived? Elijah needed to hide himself in the cave and was fed by raven. Isaiah was a loner, nobody listened to him. Jeremiah was threatened to be put to death because he said what God wanted him to say, to speak about God's judgment on Israel, where many false prophets spoke about peace. Ezekiel was given forehead like the hardest stone by God because he dealt with rebellious house. Daniel was put into the den of lions because of his righteousness, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego was put into fiery furnace because they refused to defile themselves with gods of Babylon, Joseph was sold by his own brothers to Egypt and there he was put into prison even though he was righteous. Nehemiah found many opposition from people around him when he tried to rebuild Jerusalem. Noah was mocked when he was building the ark, Job lost everything and even his friends ridiculed him because he chose to keep his faith on God.

Or in the New Testament, John the Baptist was beheaded, even Jesus, our Savior, He was mocked, spit, crucified. Peter was invertedly crucified, Paul was stoned, been in prison, flogged, beaten with rod, and finally died martyr. John was spent his oldtime on the island of Patmos as an outcast. James was put to death with sword, Stephen was stoned till death. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and many of Jesus' disciples died martyr. What kind of death do you expect as Christian, my friends?

Or even in our time, how many ex-moslem choose to die by their own families because of their faith in Jesus Christ. Or ex-Jesuit priests ready to exchange their life for the Truth, so that many people will get saved through their testimony, or ex-Buddhist, ex-Hindus, etc, they go against their own tradition, not to eat sacrifice food, not to bow down before statues, to pray for their ancestors, etc, and because of that, their families persecuted them. Do you think that easy for them? Not at all, but God is faithful, He is Almighty God, He gives them grace so that they can stand against anything that try to bring them back to their past life.

John 10:27-29

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.

Or do you know the story of Moses? He was adopted by Pharaoh's daughter as son, he had everything, but he chose to be with Israelites, instead of gold and glory that he could receive in Egypt. Do you know why Moses chose to disown his status and mocked by his own people? There are 2 questions need to be answered.

1. Why many people choose to die for Christ?
2. Why many people want to persecute us?

# Why many people choose to die for Christ?

Hebrews 11:14-16

People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

1 Thessalonians 1:5 (NIV)

Because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.

Every Christian who are born again will know this in their own heart, it is not deception, not hallucination, not imagination, not dream, but with deep conviction, with power, with Holy Spirit, with much assurance. Jesus become so real, God become so real, their heaven await them, Bible has no more contradiction, our prayers are always listened by God, fellowship with believers bring so much fire and joy. Yes, living Christian life become so sweet and fun, because God is our Father, sometimes He gives us a lot of surprises, a lot of joy, but also a lot of discipline.

If you still don't have this conviction, check your life before it is too late for you. Repentance toward God and faith toward Jesus Christ. Give your life to Christ, surrender all yourself onto Him, 100% of you, let Him guide your way and be according to His will.

Matthew 13:44-46

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

This is the reason why many missionaris choose to preach the Gospel even to the darkest part of the world. They choose to risk their life for Christ. Why? It is because they have found hidden treasure, they have found pearl.

Matthew 16:26

What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

# Why many people want to persecute us?

Every born again Christian will find out that they are different from the world. Their nature has changed, they can't stop talking about Jesus, they can't stop testifying to others how great their God, Almighty God. They will always try to find a way to preach the Gospel to their friends, relatives, or even strangers in the street. Their love to God and love to others can be seen clearly.

John 15:18-19

If the world hate you, you know that it hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love his own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

John 3:19-21

This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."

People will think that there is something wrong with their brain, they become a mad man. Nobody can understand them, only God and other believers. And even though they are loners, stranger on the earth, like Elijah, Noah, Paul, etc. They can stand strong for God, not follow the multitude of people. And God Almighty is exalted because of their faith. He will give them anything they want, He will provide anything they want.

Philippians 1:21

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

These things could happen to us as well

Please read this till the end, my friends.

My friends, have you ever experience being in the wrong place at the wrong time? Or have you ever mistaken recognizing people? You thought he was your friend, but in fact, he was totally stranger for you?

Do you see the picture of the church above? Imagine like this: On Sunday morning, as always, you go to church just to fulfill your ritual, your obligation to God. Every Sunday is the same. There is nothing different between the way you came and the way you went out from the church. And your life even worse than unbelievers. The different between you and them is just: you 'know' Jesus, they don't. But you still do: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language always come out from your lips, you always lie to others, etc.

But because you are in the wrong place at the wrong time, out from nowhere people came and locked the church's door from outside and started to burn all the church attendants inside and because you are trapped in, you also died. Will you be in heaven, my friends? Will God consider you as martyr and accept you in His Holy Place?

Hebrews 10:26-27

For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

Colossians 3:5-7

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobidient.

Stop daydreaming and deceiving yourself, OK? Do not be deceived. God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction, the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life (Galatians 6:7-8).

Persecution will surely come to every born again Christians, to the true churches of God. I don't want to console you or please you. But it is a pity for those who are just wearing mask to the church and for their misfortune, the moment the persecution broke, they were in that church. They were in the wrong place and in the wrong time. They are also persecuted and stucked in the middle of mass killing. Judge it by yourself, where you will be?

Please don't be deceived by your preachers who always say 'Peace and Safe', or say 'Nobody will do harm on us, persecute us'. They even say more, they said, 'Those people who are persecuted must not be born again Christian, they are sinners, because of that, God allow persecution on them.'

Those preachers are super-apostles. Those preachers never read Bible, they just want your money, want you to keep give offering and tithes, flock into their church. They just care about the pride of church, about your wealth, but not your salvation. They try to satisfy your itching ears. And when persecution comes, your faith will just easily dead. You can easily disown your Christ, because you are never been told about this. You preachers are super apostles, and you are super duper lazy person. You will sow what you reap in hell. You want peace and life? Find Jesus.

Do you read your Bible, my friends? Bible said, 'If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you (John 15:18-19). Jesus prayed to the Father for His disciples, 'My prayer is not that You take them out of the world but that You protect them from the evil one (John 17:15).'

Jesus said, 'If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters -- yes, even his own life -- he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple (Luke 14:26-27).

Mark 8:38

Whoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

So, my friends, please listen to me. If you are afraid of persecution, afraid of dying for Christ, move out from the church, forsake your God. Don't deceive yourself any longer. God can't be mocked, your fulfillment of obligation means nothing. If you stay longer in the church, you will just risk your life being killed falsely. You can't serve two master, God and Mammon. You have to choose one of them. Don't be haphazard Christian, lukewarm, not cold, not hot. God will spit you out of His mouth.

Listen to my suggestion, if you really enjoy what your flesh demanded from you (fornification, adultery, immorality, drunkeness, envy, covet, steal, murder, etc), but you also want to go to heaven. Decide now. If you can't make commitment to surrender all onto God, it is better for you to leave God, and enjoy your life. God will only limit your 'freedom', your deceptive freedom and you will end up in hell for your eternity. I have warned you.

The decision is in your own freewill. Hope you are wise enough. God bless you

I want Freedom

Two days ago, I talked with my American neighbour. He just came from US to study in Germany. I asked him, 'Are you Christian?' He said, 'I don't have religion. I do believe that there is God, I believe there is afterlife, but I don't want to be religious. God just limit my freedom. I don't want to be subjected to Him.'

Freedom...Freedom...Everybody wants to be free. If you think your religion limits your freedom, rules your life with human commands and teaching like: Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch! I will agree with you. It better if you don't have any religion. But, my friends, with or without religion, still, you will find that you can't find your absolute freedom.

Your mom at home will yell at you if you went home late, police will arrest you if you break the law, even your own dog will bite you if you offence his freedom. Conciously or unconciously, we don't have 100% freedom. We will always be under subject of somebody or something. It because everybody want to have their freedom too, you are not the only one in this planet who want to be free. Don't be selfish, my friends. The more you want to be free, the more you will realize that you are under subject of something or somebody. Do you not agree with me? Try it by yourself then. Learning by doing is the best way to understand, right?

You want to be free to do whatever you like, right? Why you hold yourself? Be free, be outspoken, do whatever you like, say whatever you want to say. Break the law, do not listen to instruction, advice, rules, etc. Go and be free! Free as you want to be.

I believe that you will say to me, 'Uh, oh, eh, Alvin. I think you misunderstood me. Yes, actually I want to be free, but not that free. I will, of course, subjected to law, rules, authorities, etc. What I really mean is this: I want to do freely the things which didn't harm other people's freedom.

My question is: what kind of thing is that? Is there anything in this world in which doesn't have any implication to others? How about freedom for doing sexual immorality with your sin-partner? You like it so much, huh? You wish you can do it freely without your pastors, your parents condemn you, right?

You called it freedom? Oh, yes. You are right, my friends. But your freedom will only last for a moment. Don't be short-sighted, ok? I would suggest you, if you cannot control yourself, go and marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion (1 Corinthians 7:9).

Hey, I am 25 year old, I am a man too. I know that kind of temptation. This is my greatest weakness too. I really know for sure that devil will always try to shoot me down through this temptation and etc. People said that at 20-30 is the peak of sexual arousal, but that makes no sense to me, even a 14 year old boy/girl or 70 year old grandpa/grandma can commit immorality. I am not talking that I am saint, you are sinner. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). What I am talking about is this: you are not the only sinner in this world, all are sinner, but if you choose to stay there forever, you will be in hell, under Satan's yoke forever, for the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). You can choose not to be there, not to be under Satan's yoke, to be free through the Gospel of Christ, through knowing the Truth.

John 8:32

And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

Let me try to convince you. I was a sinner and even until now, without God's grace upon me, it is easy for me to fall into temptation. I did masturbation everyday before I was born again. I was a wretch until God saved me. I know the pleasure doing that. And because of I always doing that, my mind was poisoned, my eyes were lustful, I always talked dirty jokes with my friends, always imagined something lustful and always burned in passion. Until I came to my conciousness and asked myself 'What am I doing? Is it worthy to have pleasure for 10 minutes but condemned in hell?'

Ok, let's stop talking about Hell because you will then think that I am threatening you. I don't want your itching ears make you leave prematurely. Continue reading this article at least until I am finish talking about the implication of sexual immorality.

Masturbation, watch porn movies just the beginning of evil desire. The worse implication await you. Let me ask you direct questions. We are already adult, we can differenciate right from wrong. It is between you and me, so don't accuse anybody around you, I know more than 80% young couples fall into this sin. But it doesn't mean that wrongdoing can be considered right if many people also fall onto it, does it? No matter how many people commit the same error, how long the error has been there, once it was an error, forever it will be error.

Here are my direct questions:

• Have you ever thought of getting HIV virus? Ok, you used condom, but how about your saliva?
• Is your sin partner the one and only partner you have? Or you always change your partners? You should know the more often you change partners, the higher to possibility for you to get AIDS.
• Have you ever thought about you or your sin partner being pregnant? Do you know that it just need 1 single sperm out of millions to give you next generation? The more you do it, the higher the possibility of getting pregnant, right?
• Have you ever considered that condom can also has failure? Read what research said about condom failure, my friends. don't just poisoning yourself with FHM, Penthouse, Playboy, etc. It tells us that 8 failure of 100 users = 1 out of 12.5. You know what it means? Every 13 sexual penetration you do, 1 of them has high probability give you a baby.

Bible said, 'but each one is tempted when, by his own desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it full-grown, gives birth to death (James 1:14-15). My friends, you should know that no sin shall go unpunished. You will reap what you sow, sooner or later. Bible clearly explain what happened to each of us, 'When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, the hearts of the people are filled with schemes to do wrong (Ecclesiastes 8:11). Do you understand this Scripture?

Let me explain it to you. For the first time you do it, you are afraid, feel so sorry for the sins you have committed. You are afraid of judgment from God. But after await for some time, you find out that nothing happened, then you will think that God is sleeping, God is blind. You start to do it for second time, third time, and it continues until you are addicted onto it. You can't now even to live without it and you now can say, 'I don't care about God, He is sleeping. What I do really care is this: I want to have this great pleasure forever.'

Ah, how foolish you are. Do you know how God's way is? He is patient with you, wait you to come to repentance. He has His own Cup of Wrath. Every sins you commit mean every drop of liquid you pour inside that cup. He will wait until that cup is full then He will bring judgment to you. And before it is full, He keep calling you, hope you will listen and come back to Him. Kneel down and beg His forgiveness, His mercy, to repent from your wicked way and enjoy God's blessing, God's freedom.

"Alvin, what kind of freedom you talking about? I can't see any freedom by doing God's will. Do you mean that losing my pleasure, losing my sin partner, losing my night life style is my freedom? You are lying to me, Alvin. Prove me then, Jesus fanatic."

Here is my proof, my friends. Will you spend some time to listen to me?

Does that picture ring a bell? He is a patient of HIV. Up until now, there is no remedy for that illness. God wants you to be free from that. Satan is the father of lies, he always tempted you with pleasure, with what your flesh demand that in the end, it bring misery to you. If you are not afraid of that, good, I hope you are brave enough to face God's judgment in Hell soon after you die. But please, if you want to go to Hell, go alone, do not harm other people. Do not infect your partners or even worse, your own baby with your HIV virus.

Or, maybe my warning is too late for you, right now, you already infected by HIV virus. Repent, my friends. If you really repent wholeheartly and invite Jesus as your Saviour and Lord, God will help you. I can't define how God works. He doeth according to His will, not my will or your will. But I can testify that God heals and the most joy is your life is this: you will find peace in your heart. No more condemnation, you have been set free from the law of sin and death. But please, do not deceive yourself. What I am talking about is not theory or doctrine, but practical. Only you, yourself will know about your peace with God, not your pastors, your parents, etc. You will have deep conviction inside your heart, not hallucination, not dream, not imagination.

And maybe you are not infected with HIV virus yet, but you or your sin-partner are pregnant. Men are selfish. The first thing pops up in their mind is abortion. They want to cover up their sinful behaviour, they are ashamed if their wrongdoing is known by public. Then, they will begin to threat their partner, to lose him or the baby. Yes, men are selfish. Do you know that babies are gift from God? They are your own flesh and blood. Do you want to kill and reject God's gift?

God is good. He wants every mother to have joy when they are pregnant. Can you not see how happy the mother who is pregnant? They even care about their baby more than to themselves, always talk with the baby, always make sure that her baby has enough nutritions. But, it is a pity that this joy change to guilt. The moment the girl know that she is pregnant outside marriage. Both joy and guilt start to arouse.

And it is 100x more difficult for the woman to lose her baby than for the man. Women, girls, ladies....God wants you to be free from this guilt. Do you know about that? Do you still think that His command is burdensome? The moment you are doing that fornification, you become the slave of satan, slave of sin, you are under satan's yoke. God wants to you be free, to have joy in your heart.

But, in many cases, because the woman is not mature enough, because the accident happened so suddenly, they are not ready, they become short-sighted. They aborted the baby. How foolish you are. God, please have mercy on them.

Can't you see this poor baby? Why you kill him/her? You are the one who commited sins, why this poor baby has to pay the price for you, to cover up your shameful behaviour. Once you are a fornicator, adulterer, now you are murderer. Don't you have heart? Is your heart already cold and hard like a steel? Even the lions will never eat their own cubs. Are you worse than animal?

If you have done that, repent, my friends. God will forgive you. But He will never let you unpunished. You will reap what you sow. Saul persecuted early churches, but then, after he knew God, he was the one persecuted even died martyr. Zaccheus the tax collector, the moment he knew Jesus, he gave half of his possession for the poor, and he paid back four times for everything he had cheated. David commited sins with Uria's wife, God punished him. No sins left unpunished. Keep that in mind.

Go and have fun, do as your flesh demanded. Be merry, be happy, but be caution too, that someday in the future, you will reap what you sow. Or you can choose otherwise, go to your room, lock the door, kneel down before the Lord, admit all the sinful things you have committed. Repent and ask His forgiveness. He is faithful God. He will forgive you, He will take away your sin. You are not going to die, but you have to pay the price. Submit yourself to God and you will find rest, peace, joy. He will change you into new creature.

The abortion babies are in heaven now. You can be a bit comfortable, but you are still in hell if you have aborted your baby and haven't repented and invited Jesus. This is just my warning. Do not joke with God, do not play around with sins, it bring death.

If you want to be free, choose God, He will let you soar like an eagle. He will lift you higher, more than you can ever think of. God bless you.

Big Bang Project (10 September 2008)

Scientists in Switzerland today (10 September 2008) begin their attempt to recreate the Big Bang using a £5 billion machine that fires sub-atomic particles into each other at close to the speed of light. Some fear that, in their attempts to discover more about the origins of the universe, the boffins will inadvertently create a black hole, causing the destruction of the earth and all human life.

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My friends, can you imagine that huge amount of money, £5 billion ($9 billion)? It can feed all the people in this world (6.6 billion) with meal that cost about $1.36 each. But why those scientists still make effort to do that? The only objective is this: To Prove that God doesn't Exist.

But, I rejoice in my heart when I saw this news because I know that this megabuck project will prove otherwise, I am 100% sure that in the end, it will prove that God is really exist. I believe that this project will fail and the conclusion that we will get is like this: even when the cleverest people in this world are gathered together, all of them are foolish before God.

• They can't even create a simple microorganism, virus, etc. Human even died because of that small, small things.
• They can't even find out solution to cure cancers, AIDS, SARS, etc.
• They can't be immortal men. They certainly will face death, no matter how clever, how rich, how powerful, how famous they are. They will surely die.
• They can't be against their aging process. Botox, plastic surgery, etc just a camouflage. They just deceiving themselves and others.

• Yes, they can make transgenic plant, animal clonning, even tube babies. But all of them came out from living things, not out of nothing. How can they create the whole universe?
• Yes, they can send apollos to the galaxy. But it just to prove that God is great. Majestic is works of His hands.
• Yes, they can make aeroplane (flying), submarine (diving underwater), tractor (powerful), forklift, autoclave (for incubation), drilling (for mining), etc. But, where they got the idea for that? Aeroplane = bird, submarine = fish, tractor = elephant, forklift = giraffe, autoclave = mother's womb, drilling = ants, etc. We learned it from our nature, in the other words, God teaches us. He gives us wisdom to help us, to make our life easier. He said to men, 'Be fruitful and increase in number, fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground (Genesis 1:28)'.

But, with all that limitance, still, now mankind are trying to become like God, they want to create universe, they want to be God for themselves. How foolish they are. Why don't they try to create the most simple microorganism first, then if they can do that, they can now begin to think greater project. For me, myself, I know for sure, even my intellect, my brain, my understanding confirm that. I am an engineer, I do scientific works too. But, I am not foolish. I believe that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding (Proverbs 9:10). Since I believed in Jesus, I can testify through my grade that even though I spend more time with God rather than for study, for my thesis, but I excel in everything I do. God enlarge my brain. It is God's blessing, not by my might, my wisdom, but because I fear the Lord, He gave me wisdom.

The different between me right now and my past is this: in the past, I was like Israelites, walk round and round in the desert for 40 years because I never asked God, but right now, since I always ask God what to do, He straighten my way. I am not losing time, but in fact, I gain more time, I can worship my God and I can also do my activity fruitfully. My friends always busy with their thesis, they can't even sleep well, they are in University from 8 am till 18 pm. I should as busy as them, but God help me, when I found dead end, I just go and pray, then, wisdom come, I always be able to find solution for my problems everytime I look for God. He is faithful God, He stands on His Word written in the Bible. I praise and worship Him for His love and faithfulness, His blessing and grace to me.

My friends, It doesn't need a genius

• To believe that God is exist and created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1).
• To cure those kind of illness, which in fact, even a small child can do that. I have seen in my life, that through faith and prayers, many that sick got healed, instanteously. Jesus answered and said to them, Truly I say to you, If you have faith, and doubt not, you shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if you shall say to this mountain, Be you removed, and be you cast into the sea; it shall be done (Matthew 21:21). With faith and righteousness, everything you ask will be given to you. The prayer of the righteous man is powerful and effective (James 5:16).
• To be youthful as young man, even though you are 85 year old. Caleb said, "So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then (Joshua 14:10-11)".
• To bear a child even though you are barren and as good as dead. By faith Abraham, even though he was past age -- and Sarah herself was barren -- was enable to become a father because he considered Him faithful who had made the promise (Hebrews 11:11-12). All of this happened because God is really exist.

Bible clearly said, By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible (Hebrews 11:3). He created this universe in 6 days (literally), not through billion of years. If you keep thinking like that, think otherwise from now on. Think that your brain is so tiny before God. It is written: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate. Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe (1 Corinthians 1:19-21). For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength (1 Corinthians 1:25).

My friends, please compare your own wisdom and God's wisdom, who created all things, JESUS CHRIST. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together (Collosians 1:15-17).

This is the real comparison. So start marveling, how majestic and great our God is, God of heavens and earth, Jesus Christ.

Earth compared with other planets

Other planets compared with the Sun

Sun (with pointer) compared with other stars

Arcturus (in the middle front) compared with other bigger stars

And you know what, Antares is just the 15th brightest star in the sky. It is more than 1000 light years away. And it is the only things that we know until right now. We don't have enough telescope to see the whole galaxies. Can you imagine where your little tiny brain is? Can you imagine how small you are and how great God is? He created all of these things. Do you still think that you are something which in fact you are nothing?

Galatians 6:3

For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

My friends, it is good to be logical, I also a logical man. But don't you know that even science doesn't sound logical? It has a lot of assumptions too. And if they can't find good bases for their argument, they just said, 'Yes, it happened for billion of years, so nobody can prove it. Or they said, the condition to make it happen should be very extreme, so that nobody can prove it, like what Einstein said with his relativity theory, he said, it must be under the speed of light, 3.10e8. Finally, we have that instrument, this is what the Big Bang Project try to do. Let's prove it, my friends. Will you believe that God is really exist, that Jesus is the Son of the Living God if this project fail? I will burn my Bible and declare myself as an atheist if Big Bang Theory is right, if God didn't create this universe by His Word. To all my atheist friends, will accept my invitation?

And to those who are Christian but still believe in Evolution Theory, I laugh at you. You said you are a Christian, but you also believe that your ancestor come from apes. Please then, you tell me, which one of these is your ancestor?

Do you really think that your great great parent were these kind of animals? See your own children, your own husband/wife, friends, brethrens, do you see monkey face on them?

I hope that right now, you stop thinking that your friends, relative, even you, yourself look like this picture below.

God bless you

The Scars of Sin

taken from The Institute for Creation Research -- September 8

"But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house." (Judges 16:21)

The sad end of mighty Samson, who once had been so greatly energized and utilized by the Lord, is also an allegory and a grave warning to every Christian. "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death" (James 1:14-15).

Satan knows our individual weaknesses and tempts us accordingly. Many Christians have fallen into sin through some Delilah, but probably many more have fallen into sin through pride, or covetousness, or compromise, or apathy.

First, sin blinds. We are commanded to grow in Christ, adding to our initial faith the attributes of virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, kindness, and love (2 Peter 1:5-7). Otherwise, "he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins" (2 Peter 1:9).

Then, sin binds. It may not be with chains, as with Samson, but unconfessed sin quickly enslaves its practitioners. "While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage" (2 Peter 2:19).

Finally, sin grinds. Instead of the promised freedom from restraint, a sinful life soon becomes a "grind," tedious and tasteless, like "the dog turned to his own vomit again" (2 Peter 2:22).

Samson did return to God again before his death, but he was still blind, and bound, and grinding. God forgives, but the effects of sin are not easily removed. How much better it would be never to yield to the temptation at all.