The Iron Pen #51

Celestial Quackery

George Howe Colt wrote in a recent issue of Life magazine, "There hasn't been this much interest in angels since the Renaissance." To be sure there is a growing obsession with angels in American culture today. But, BEWARE! Most of what is being taught about angles in secular magazines and books is celestial quackery. We are being told that angels are a kind of "God Lite" for those who "are uncomfortable fearing god..." Another popular author says, "Angels are a gateway to spirituality for people who find the Judeo-Christian image of God too threatening." Others make bizarre claims like "soft green clothes lure in guardian angels." Add yet another dimension to these wildly unbiblical teachings -- the occult! A New Jersey company makes a "talking board designed specifically to communicate with angels" (a celestial Ouija board!). Another company produces "Celestial Wisdom Cards" (an angelic tarot deck). For $75 "an angelic counselor" will "introduce people to their guardian angels..." by channeling.

Can you see how that fallen angel Satan has transformed himself into an angel of light? Many unsuspecting people are being introduced to occult practices which God forbids (Deut. 18:9-12). Heed the advice of Ephesians 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. Look to the Bible for your "angelic theology."

ANGEL FACTS AND FANTASIES

• There are elect angels and evil angels -- (1 Tim. 5:21; 2 Pet. 2:4)
• Angels are created beings, created by Christ -- (Col. 1:16)
• People do not turn into angels when they die -- (Psa. 8:4-5)
• Angels were created before man was created -- (Job 38:4-7)
• The world's portrayal of angels is primarily female but the Bible's is male (Luke 24:3-4)
• Angels are powerful beings not "fluff and meringue" -- (Psa. 103:20)
• We are not to worship or pray to angels -- (Rev. 22:8-9; 1 Tim. 2:5)
• It is not biblical to seek to find out the name of angels that are not revealed in the Bible -- (Judges 13:17-18)
• Christians will judge evil angels -- (1 Cor 6:3)
• Hell was created for the Devil and his angels -- (Mat 25:41)

(Note: All angel information comes from my 24 page booklet entitled: Angels, Angels Everywhere -- But Beware. For more information contact Rev. David L. Brown at >FirstBaptistChurchOC@gmail.com )

God & Country

"It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians, not on religions but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ." Patrick Henry

Biblical Superlatives

(A superlative is a word that expresses the highest order, quality, or degree; surpassing or superior to all others)

• The Greatest Word -- God (Gen. 1:1)
• The Sweetest Word -- Love (1 Cor. 13:1)
• The Tenderest Word -- Come (Mat. 11:28)
• The Longest Word -- Eternity (Isa. 57:15)
• The Shortest Word -- Now (2 Cor. 6:2)

God's love motivated Him to send His son Jesus to die on the Cross for your sins that you might be saved. Won't you come to Christ now and receive Him as your Savior so that you can spend eternity in Heaven? (Adapted from an outline by Henry Hepburn, Moody Monthly July 1934)

When Is a Pardon Operative?

In the early 1800's, President Andrew Jackson issued a full pardon to George Wilson, a man sentenced to be hanged. Wilson refused it. But could he legally refuse the President's pardon? Supreme Court Justice John Marshall declared, "The value of the pardon depends upon its acceptance. If it is refused, it is no pardon. George Wilson must hang." And Wilson was hanged.

To pardon everyone's sin, Christ shed His blood on the cross. The price was paid. But each individual must first receive this forgiveness.

Secure On The Rock

One stormy night a ship was wrecked by crashing on the rocks off the coast of Cornwall, England. All hands perished but one lone Irish lad, who was hurled by the waves upon the jagged slopes of a great towering ledge, where he managed to find a place of refuge. In the morning, watchers on the beach spied him through their glasses, and a boat was launched and rowed to where he clung. Almost dead from the cold and exposure, he was tenderly lifted into the boat and brought ashore.

After he got warm and felt better he was asked, "Lad, didn't ye tremble out there on the rock in all that storm?" He replied brightly in his Irish way, "Trimble? Sure and I trimbled. But do you know, the rock never trimbled wanct all night." If you have trusted Christ, you are on the Rock. While you may tremble, that does not invalidate God's salvation. The Rock remains firm and secure. Look away from self altogether and rely solely upon the Word of God. -- H. A. Ironside

Exploring The World Wide Web

Check these out if you have access to the World Wide Web --

Many C. H. Spurgeon files on this sight -- http://www.gty.org/~phil/spurgeon.htm   

If you want more information drop an e-mail message to me at -- >FirstBaptistChurchOC@gmail.com