WHAT SETS US OFF?

We would all answer SIN! But which sins causes us to react? The sins that we are doing, that we enjoy, and that we are reminded of. In other words, we all would agree that sin is bad. Yes, Amen, right on! And you would say, "Yes, that and this sin is really bad. What a shame that people are doing that sin! But then a sin is mentioned that you are doing, and guess what, we suddenly get offended. The reason is that you and I want to cling to the sins that are really a part of us. We don't want to change.

But the apostle Paul says we are to examine ourselves. He writes: "But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good" (1 Thess. 5:21). See also: (1 Cor. 4:3; 11:28; 2 Cor. 13:5; Gal. 6:4)

One of the Greek words for exam is "dokimazo" and another is "peirazo." They both carry the thought to try, to test, to prove whether one is acceptable under testing. "Peirazo" carries the thought of "to try whether a thing is genuine or not, or whether it can be done!" We are to examine ourselves as to whether we are the genuine article or not! We all have those things in us that are not correct though we don't want to admit our failings. Can we face the truth? Can we confess that in all things we have belief issues that are all fouled up? If someone points those issues out, how do we respond? Generally, defensively. We have to be ready to say, "that is a sin inside of me that I have to 'fess up' to."

ARE WE IN THE KINGDOM NOW?

Some try to use Revelation 5:10 to say that we are in the millennial kingdom presently but that is not what John the apostle is writing about. His first reference about us and a kingdom is found in Revelation 1:6. "God has made us a kingdom, priests to His God and Father." Believers are "a" kingdom, not "the" millennial kingdom. And that kingdom is specific, that is, it has to do with a realm of priests who minister to the Lord and who represent Him to the world. Those who are priests will continue that ministry on into the kingdom as stated in 5:10. "They will reign [also] upon the earth." This work of the priesthood is carried on in Christ's millennial rule.    Those who become believers and are martyred during the tribulation will "be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years" (20:6).    Thus, the tribulation saints, or the present saints of the Church era, are a kingdom. We (and they) are "a kingdom OF PRIESTS." Not simply a "kingdom." We are a collection, an assembly of priests, who represent the Lord and presently serve Him.    As I always say when interpreting the Bible, "Keep the lines straight!" Don't go off into orbit and make connections that do not fit together!    Christ's millennial kingdom is yet future. Christ said in Revelation 3:21, "He who overcomes (actually goes against the tug of sin and becomes a believer), I WILL grant (future) to sit down with Me on My throne (the millennial throne), as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne (presently)."     --Dr. Mal Couch  (7/10)

BUT WHY?

Why did the shoe bomber try to bring down an airliner over the ocean? And why did the radical Muslim chaplain Major Nidal Malik Hasan at Ft. Hood kill a group of soldiers, with the words on his lips "Soldier of Allah!"

The Barack Hussein Obama appointed Attorney General, Eric Holder, said: "There are a variety of reasons why I think people have taken these actions." Yes, but what are they?

"There are a variety of reasons why I think people have taken these actions."

Every action is mentioned but the right one—the man is a militant religious zealot who, for the cause of Allah, wants to kill people. But that is avoided and not mentioned before the public.

Why?

The only possible reason is that there is a defense of Islam.

PRESBYTERIANS SUPPORT GAYS

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has voted in committee to allow non-celibate gays in "committed relationships" to serve as clergy in their churches. This will make them the most friendly gay denomination in America. However, the 2 million membership must still vote on the issue to make it final.    The doctrinal position used to say: "Marriage is between a man and a woman." Now it reads: "Marriage is between two people." The voting was a close call. Only 53% of the general assembly voted to approve the change. Last year also, the change was voted down by 94 of the 173 presbyteries but this year it passed.    We should not be surprised with what is happening with this denomination and others. When the Bible is no longer the "doctrinal statement" of the Church, such departure from the truth should be expected. At the Clifton Bible Church, our doctrinal statement is the Word of God. We do not "vote" on doctrine. Doctrine is doctrine. It is set in stone because it is inspired by the Holy Spirit. Such truths do not change!    Some say for the Presbyterian Church to do this is madness. But actually it is not. This is normal. When men turn from the Scriptures we can expect all kinds of changes and false theology to come to the surface. The apostle Paul told us of our apostate day coming. He wrote:    "For the time will come when they will not endure sound (healthy) doctrine (teaching); but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desire; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths (lies)" (2 Tim. 4:3-4).    Notice how Change is coming about so rapidly! Change Agents are rewriting the truth and tampering with the Word of God.    We are living in apostate days. This is fulfilling prophecy before our very eyes! It was predicted in the Bible that men would "Fall Away" from the truth, and from the faith. Can you imagine what the seven year tribulation will be like? Men will "not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. And for this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they might believe what is false" (2 Thess. 2:10).   Dr. Mal Couch (7/10)

THANK YOU NOTE!

Dr. Couch, I really appreciated taking classes with you when you were teaching. Both your classes and your books have been a real blessing. Where I live I'm about 45 miles from a good church. Too far to drive. I had a falling out with the church I attended. Theological issues. God bless.

FEMINISM AND CHRISTIAN WOMEN

Some years ago we knew a Christian lady who had a BA degree in Home Economics. This was about the time feminism was affecting Christian women. Therefore, she did not want anyone to know that she had such a degree. It was too demeaning to her.

Today, whatever a woman does as a girl is now not enough! Today, little girls are taught to do boy things in order to have value. Softness, caring hearts, just being "Girlie" is disdained! It is insulting because the woman must do what the boys do. The culture has changed the value of being feminine. Girls now have to do what boys do to be of any worth.

   Women are propagandized. For example, a woman cop believes she is as powerful and as strong as a man—and indeed she is not! Christian women, as well as the world, have been brainwashed by Hollywood and the media. Because women can be so emotional, they argue about this issue but to no avail. Women do not realize their value of being a woman! Indeed, the first woman listened to propaganda too! Nothing has changed! To get to the man, Satan first attacks femininity, womanhood, family order—and then he's got the man!  –Dr. Lacy Couch (7/10)

AMERICA DUE JUDGMENT!

A viewer of our website reminded us of the awesome passages about homosexuality in Scripture. God is no longer "consulted" on such matters! America has caved in and is doing what the Bible clearly warned about. Our laws even protect the Sodomites! A judgment is certain!

"You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination" (Lev. 18:22). And "If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act; they shall surely be put to death. Their blood guiltiness is upon them" (20:13). Finally, "You shall not bring the hire of a harlot or the wages of a dog (male prostitute) into the house of the Lord your God ..." (Deut. 23:18).

  Homosexuality is the most evil of sins. God will act and bring judgment upon those who practice such. On Leviticus 18:22 the orthodox Rabbis write: "This verse discloses the abyss of depravity from which the Mosaic Law saved the Israelites. This unnatural vice was also prevalent in Greece and Rome."

THE WAY WE’RE GOING!

While America is not a theocracy, still, if we do not honor God we will be judged for going along with false religions that are coming in with the people we're "importing" into this country. We are watering down our heritage and denying the God who blessed us in the beginning. There will be a price to pay!    2 Kings 17:7-23 stands as an indictment against us. For fun, let's pretend this passage is about America! Yet, in reality, it is about the sins of Israel and how much the Lord hated their ways.    The passage says that the king of Israel, Hoshea, "did evil in the sight of the Lord" (v. 2). The king of Assyria came against him and "invaded the whole land" and besieged it three years (vv. 4-5). Not only is Hoshea going to be judged, that is the country's "President" but also all the people: "This came about, because the sons of Israel had sinned against the Lord their God, who had brought them up from the land of Egypt (England)" (v. 7).    The people had built "for themselves high places (temples) in all their towns from watchtower to fortified city" (v. 9). They "set up for themselves sacred pillars (monuments) on every high hill" (v. 10). They "did evil things (held evil ceremonies) provoking the Lord" (v. 11). They "were warned by the prophets and seers (the evangelical pastors)" 'Turn from your evil ways and keep My commandments" (v. 13). "However, they did not listen (but turned up the TV louder)" (v. 14). "They stiffened their neck like their fathers" (v. 14b) (and refused to listen to biblical warnings). "They did not believe (they refused the gospel) in the Lord their God" (v. 14c).    They "followed vanity and became vain" (v. 15) by believing in secular psychology and the temptation of stupid sitcoms on evening TV! "They went after the nations" (wanting to be like sinful Europe) (v. 15b). "They made molten images and made Asherahs" (the sex images of TV) (v. 16). "They practiced divination and enchantments and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the Lord, provoking Him" (v. 17). The people went along with the world and did whatever it dictated.    "The Lord was very angry with Israel (America) and removed them from His sight" (v. 18). He brought judgment against them and blessed them no longer. "The Lord rejected all the seed of Israel (the next generation of Americans) and gave them in the hands of the plunderers until He had cast them out of His sight" (v. 20). Evil men (illegals who defied their laws) came across the borders and began to destroy them from within.    "Jeroboam (the President) drove them away from following the Lord, and made them commit a great sin" (v. 21). Their great sin was following secular psychology, living for the TV set, and worshipping at the video play-station! "The Lord removed Israel (America) from His sight, as He spoke through all His servants the prophets (the evangelical pastors who still believed the Bible) (v. 23). –Dr. Mal Couch   (7/10)

MANKIND OR HUMANKIND?

For generations we have always said "Mankind." But the feminists have made us change that to "Humankind" since they think they are excluded by the use of the word "Man." This is downright stupid and I hope that you don't fall for that gender inclusiveness that placates the feminist agenda. We have always known that "Mankind" means the human family of men and women. How come we all knew that generations ago but only this present generation is so dumb that they do not understand this?    The idea of Mankind comes from Genesis 1:26-27 and 2:7. "God made man" but then the text adds "male and female He created them" (1:27). And "God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image'" (v. 26). Don't give in to the feminists.    Also, don't give in to the news media that speaks of "our men and women who are fighting ..." Women are not supposed to be in combat, that is by the law of Congress, but we have been brainwashed to include them as those who are also fighting. I have never met a man in the military who has anything positive to say about the women who are in mixed units who are supposed to be on the frontlines. Not one man in the military says that women can pull their weight with the men! They are not supposed to. Women are 50% weaker, have 50% less stamina, can run far less as far as men, have emotional and hygienic issues that men do not have.    Women and children are to be protected not exposed to the horrors of combat! –Dr. Mal Couch (7/10)

THE RELIABILITY OF GENESIS

No scholar was more knowledgeable in the latter part of the nineteenth century on the ancient world than Sir E. A. Wallis Budge, the Keeper of Egyptian and Assyrian antiquities in the British Museum. He realized the distinctions between Genesis and the stories of Egypt and Babylon found in the first book of our Bible. He also knew that Genesis had to be inspired because of all it said that was so true in the world of ancient history.    What Budge wrote in his classic "Babylonian Life and History" has yet to be equaled. If his work can still be purchased, you need to get it! (It was last published by Barnes & Noble, 1993, New York)    Below are a few of his entries that give us lasting knowledge about the biblical account of creation, the fall of man, and the Flood story:    The Bible clearly makes mention of ancient Babylon, known as "the land of the Chaldeans" (Isa. 33:13), and also what is known as "the Land of Shinar" (Gen. 10:10). Moses, the author of Genesis, knew what he was talking about when he refers to the ancient world between the two rivers, the Tigris and the Euphrates.    Liberals try to tell us that the Babylonian Version of the Flood story and the Genesis account come from the same source, but Budge blasts this idea. (Though there are some similarities because the overall source is the same.) Budge writes: "The Account of the Flood given in the Book of Genesis is not borrowed from the Babylonian Version, as has so often been stated. While there are some likenesses the variations in them show that their writers, or editors, were dealing with a very ancient account which had found its way among all the Sumerian peoples. How old the accounts are cannot be substantiated."    The truth would be found in the biblical account—the mythological account is found in the Babylonian. The Genesis account makes sense but the Babylonian is full of myth and silly arguments.    The biblical account of the fall is not about a "talking snake" but about a fallen creature, Lucifer, who embodied a serpent and used it for his purposes of communicating with Eve. That the ancient people of the Bible knew this is verified in such passages as Revelation 12:9. There the tempter is called "the dragon, the serpent, the devil, and Satan." Not only did he deceive Eve but "the whole world." His fall at some time in the ancient past is referred to: "He was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him" (v. 9b). Thus, Satan used a serpent in the garden but we do not simply have a "talking" snake as mythology might imply!    In the ancient mythological versions the truth of the Flood story is seen but the actual fact is recorded in the Genesis Account. And, there are some interesting parallels. For example in the Babylonian account Noah is called Uta-Napishtim. The ark is mentioned, and its size as well. And the fact of an offering made after the ark landed on a mountain. But then mythology takes over and the story gets ridiculous. But not so in the Genesis Account.    The ark had one window, was coated with bitumen; the rains flooded the earth and took away all the people. And at the end of the Flood the rainbow was seen. These facts tell us that there was common ground in the Flood story. But the biblical account is preserved with accuracy and void of myth.    The Babylonian account of creation goes to mush! The story is full of gods. Heaven is divided into parts, and it rests upon posts. Each day, the sun rises and enters one door and goes out another door. Heaven is divided between the gods Bel, Anu, and Ea. The underworld is ruled by the goddess Allatu.    The Genesis account of creation is pure and even scientific. The laws of physics are preserved in accuracy though the Bible is not meant to be a book of scientific study.    Evangelicals need not flinch when studying the Genesis Account of creation and the Flood story. They are accurate though not exhaustive. And they are written in abbreviated form and can be trusted for truthfulness.     One error continues to be argued for and that is that there are two accounts of creation: Genesis 1:1-31 and 2:1-25. These are not two different accounts thrown together in Genesis as the liberal likes to argue. The full account is in chapter 1. But in chapter 2, the account closes in and looks at the details of the creation of man, because this is what Moses, the author, is going to focus on.    The story of creation, and specifically the creation of mankind, reinforces for us the specific role of the sexes. This defies the idea of homosexuality. The sexual differences are made by God. That man can have sex with man is ludicrous. The Lord is the one who made the biological distinctions. To go against that is to question the Lord's creative genius! –Dr. Mal Couch (7/10)

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS ONE?

On the side of the Palestinian garbage truck in Gaza, it says "Palestinian Garbage Truck-Palestinian Authority." But it is a truck that fires 9 Kasem Rockets toward Israel. They do the same with Ambulances. And our President, has sent Four Hundred Million dollars to them to bring them to the U.S.! This is sick! We must replace him in two years! –Dr. Mal Couch (7/10)

WHY PRAY ...

If God is not sovereign? And sovereign means just that, sovereign! While He is not the Author of evil, He can cause it to be and then use it for His purposes.    He does all things. Nothing happens apart from His design. He said "Truly I have spoken, truly I will bring it to pass, I have planned it, surely I will do it" (Isa. 46:11). And "I declare the end from the beginning and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, 'My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all my good pleasure" (v. 10).    Also, "I have aroused [Cyrus] ... I will make all his ways smooth; he will build My city, and will let My exiles go free" (45:13). "I am the One forming light and creating (bara) darkness, causing well-being and creating evil (Ra), I am the Lord who does all things" (v. 7).    Thus, we pray because He can do what we ask, if that is His design. We don't understand how this works, but it is proclaimed throughout the Scriptures from Genesis to Revelation. Many today deny the sovereignty of God because they are ignorant and do not study their Bible. They have been given a sorry education at church or at some shallow Bible school.    God can even send evil spirits for His purposes. "An evil spirit from the Lord terrorized Saul ... Behold now, an evil spirit from God is terrorizing you (said Saul's servant)" (1 Sam. 16:14-15). "The Lord has put a deceiving spirit in the mouth of all these your prophets; and the Lord has proclaimed disaster against you" (1 Kings 22:23). Concerning Rabshakeh: "Behold, I will put a spirit in him so that he shall hear a rumor and return to his own land. And I will make him fall by the sword in his own land" (2 Kings 19:7).    My question then is: WHO IS IN CHARGE? Is it not God?    So the things taking place today have to do with the Lord's plans and purposes. No President, or world leader, is sovereign. God is in charge! He is doing what He pleases. –Dr. Mal Couch(7-10)

NEW TITLE

Some of you are looking for the new book that was originally entitled: "The Coming World Government of Jesus Christ." The final title ended: "The New Covenant/Your Eyes Will See The King." So if you'd like that then let us know. –Dr. Mal Couch

SOME HAVE SAID WAR!

There are photos on the web showing Mexican students at a California High School in 2006 putting up a Mexican flag on the school flagpole, with an American flag under it, flown upside down! Some are calling for war! Where will this stop?, they are asking. What is the administration and teachers of that school doing? What are they thinking? Can no one stop it?, people are questioning? Can the parents do anything?    We may go into a revolt before we know it!    Our government has caused this by placating and putting up with such hatred against our nation. The people flooding over our borders are allowed in for politics. The Democratic Party wants their votes! And, they will get them!

ITALY REMOVING CROSSES

The issue went all the way to the Italian Supreme Court: crosses will have to be removed in Italian schoolrooms. One complaint of course caused the stir! But this is the way it's going in Europe. This could spread to all the countries in Europe because almost all the countries have "religion" attached in a formal sense, in other words, the churches are national churches and most people are "baptized" into the state-churches.    All of that is but formality. Only about 2% of the people would be Christian and almost no one in Europe goes to church on a given Sunday. And if they do, they get absolutely nothing spiritual. Christianity is dead there but "Christendom" reigns, and that means there is just some kind of formal expression that means little to the people.    But the cross issue is a sign of the times. A huge spiritual vacuum is being created that will open the door for the anti-Christ! By the way, the people of Italy hate Christianity because to them Christianity is but dead, formal Catholicism, with immoral priests and dead ritualism. It fact, some months ago, the faculty of one of the universities stopped the Pope from coming to the campus because they despise him and what he stands for so much!    What is happening is prophetically on schedule and right on time!    -- Dr. Mal Couch (7/10)

THE JACKALS ARE HOWLING!

Israel did right a few weeks back in stopping the armed ships going into Gaza carrying weapons to fire at that tiny state. The Jews did what any nation did that was being armed by ships in order to destroy their country. The lying Muslims claimed that the ships had humanitarian aid supplies. If that were so, then they could have landed in Israel, had the cargo inspected, and then gone on to Gaza with the supplies, as Israel has done in the past.    But no! The whole purpose was to put ashore criminal weapons to fire at Israel. Everyone knew that from the beginning. The Arabs are liars, thieves, of the first order. They are liars and sons of liars! In fact, the Arabs have a policy: if they can get away with lying, they will do so, and argue, that God's providence was at work in the lie!    This author has gone to the Middle East some twenty-three times and observed nothing but how the Arabs are evil in their intention against the state of Israel. Remember, the land is God's land that He then gave to Israel. It is now "Their land."    At the Clifton Bible Church we are studying the book of Deuteronomy. We noted that the "land" is mentioned thirty-four times just in chapters 4-8. God promised to love Israel "in the land which He swore to your forefathers to give you" (7:13). "When the Lord your God shall bring you into the land where you are entering to possess it" (v. 1). Though they have been out of the land for disobedience, the Lord is now turning things around. They are going to soon embrace the Lord Jesus as their Messiah and Savior. We are getting closer to that great day!    The present Washington Administration joined last week the jackals and reversed four decades of U.S. practice, by signing onto a consensus document that singles out Israel's possession of nuclear weapons—thus delegitimizing Israel's very last line of defense: deterrence. (Charles Krauthammer, Maoz Israel Report, July 2010)

IGNORANCE OF HISTORY

Everyone makes a big deal about "state" accreditations for theological degrees. But some argue "the state does not accredit degrees. There are independent accreditation associations." But that is wrong. The state tells seminaries which associations they will accept or not, thus, it is the state that has the final word. In other words, the government approves of theological degrees since they have the last say!    Over the past four decades evangelicals have become enamored over state accrediting. If a school is not state approved we are told the seminary is less in quality. This is the world, like the camel, getting its nose in the tent! And once that happens it is hard to get the camel out! The state should have nothing to do with spiritual things.    To know how far we have fallen one must look at the past. Up until about eighty years ago, or more, there was generally speaking, no doctoral degrees given in theology. This was not so in Europe. In the big university seminaries overseas they gave "liberal" Ph.D. degrees but not so in American seminaries. Look at some of the older theology textbooks published in the U.S. The authors only had a DD or a Doctorate of Divinity, or, they had an M.A., a masters of arts degree. The DD could be earned but often it was honorary. This was acceptable because it was given to a pastor, or writer, someone who had accomplished something in theology.    Then the Th.D. came along. This was a Doctorate of Theology. It was perfectly acceptable. But many evangelicals wanted to be like the world, and began to offer a Ph.D., a Doctorate of Philosophy. With this, the schools started playing with the world and forcing the students to take reading German or French to show how academic the students were.    In other words, we wanted to look like the world. Everyone was happy with the old system until they started looking over the fence to see what the world was doing, and then, folks wanted to be like the culture. Coming with this trend has been pure, warmed over liberalism. While such a degree does not have to be liberal, unfortunately it too often is!    As the world goes so goes evangelicals!    --Dr. Mal Couch (7-10)

MARY ON THE CROSS

Since the Catholic Church calls Mary the Co-Redemptrex, why not put her on the cross? This is the final step in their heresy. She is omnipresent and she gives her approval for all those who are saved. Pope Benedict XVI says "Mary is in all places and times." She is called "Regina Coeli (Queen of Heaven)." In Rome at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, she is crucified on a twelve foot cross hanging alongside of Christ. The Church says she was tortured and killed and thus should be seen as crucified. Many evangelicals are becoming Catholic or at least they are sympathetic with Catholicism. We should not be surprised. When we turn away from the study of the Word of God, only heresy will follow!   (7/10)

RESPECT THE OFFICE

Someone sent me the following in regard to our President Barack Hussein Obama. We as Christians are to respect the Office of President but we do not have to respect the Man! That is why we have "voting" in this country. Please pass this on! I do not share his abortion beliefs. I do not share his radical Marxist's concept of redistribution of wealth. I do not share his views on raising taxes. I do not share his view about America being arrogant. I do not share his view that America is not a Christian nation. I do not share his view that Muslims have made great contributions to America. I do not share his view to reduce our military by 25%. I do not share his views on homosexuality. I do not share his definition on marriage. I do not share his views that Radical Islam is our friend and Israel is our enemy. I do not share his spiritual beliefs. I do not share his beliefs on how to re-work the healthcare system. I do not share his Strategic views on the Middle East. I do not share his plan to sit down with terrorists. I do not share his view that all our problems have come from President Bush! I am suspect with those he has run around with in the past, and even now in the present. I am suspect of those he has placed into high office. He has put socialists and homosexuals into important positions!    America is not the America that Barack holds to. He is a socialist radical who is out to destroy America. He wants to give this nation away. He wants to rewrite our past, and make this country something that it has never been!    He has removed the work ethic. He wants to take away the incentive for making it on your own, whether you are successful or not! He is trying to make everyone think the same, and to think the same way. He is one of the most dangerous Presidents this country has ever had! He must be replaced in the next two years!    The Christians of America must (1) pray, (2) fall on their knees, (3) repent, (4) vote, (5) be thankful to God for this great nation, (6) contribute to organizations that will help us make the changes, (7) get involved with whoever we need to be with, in order to restore this great nation to its past roots!    There is power in believers pulling together to make changes. This November is our target date to start the restoration of this great nation!

WINSTON CHURCHILL AND OBAMA

Why did Barack Hussein Obama send back to England the bust of Winston Church given to George Bush when he was in office? Everyone has asked that question! It has now been revealed why.    Supposedly, Obama's father was tortured when he was held in prison by the British. Because of this, Obama returned the bust to England. While one can understand his anger, he clearly does not know anything about English history in doing that. This shows that Obama has no knowledge of the blessings, both Christian and secular, that have come from the English people.    The English have people who have done things that are wrong, but torture has never been a policy of the British government. It is clear that Obama knows nothing of history, nor of all that came forth from the English people at large. The English, the Scotch, and Protestant Irish, blessed the world with missionaries through the generations. English history is one of my side interests. I study almost daily something of the last century in regard to the English people.    While the fact that his father was tortured, if indeed that happened, I'm sure was something painful to have to consider. But you do not throw away the entire nation because of the sins of a few officers. In my opinion, to return the bust of a very great man, who had nothing to do with his father, is quite foolish. It also shows an attitude of prejudice against whites that is misapplied. This tells us more about our President than anything!    Dr. Mal Couch (7-10)

2 THESSALONIANS 2:3-4 – CHRISTIAN FREEDOMS ABOUT TO END IN AMERICA?

There is evidence that Christian freedoms are about to end in this country very soon. This would fit perfectly with Paul's warning in the 2 Thessalonians passage (2:3-4). "The Day of the Lord" is the seven year period of the wrath of God upon the earth (v. 2). The church will have been raptured but events will build up before that day comes. In other words, the church will be taken up in order to avoid that awful coming of God's wrath upon the people of the world.    That we will escape is made clear by Paul in 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10. Paul said "we" were waiting for "His Son from heaven", that is, Jesus "who will deliver us from the wrath that is one its way" (v. 10). Or it could read: "Jesus who is the Deliverer who will cause us to escape the coming wrath."    "To deliver" can be translated "drag, draw" us away. This is used of a soldier who "drags away the body of a slain hero." It is in the Middle Voice in Greek: "To draw to one's self, with the specification [from] evil or danger." The Present Participle could have the force of a Prophetic Future: "The One who will drag us [to Himself]."    He will drag us away from the "coming, approaching" tribulation. This wrath is not the divine wrath that hangs over the heads of mankind because of sin (Rom. 1:18), as in the final judgment, but it is the wrath of Daniel's Seventieth Week that purges Israel and also becomes a judgment upon the world (Rev. 6:12-17).    This wrath "is a title for the period just before Messiah's kingdom on earth, when God will afflict earth's inhabitants with an unparalleled series of physical torments because of their rejection of His will." (Barnes) Ellicott says "the Wrath absolutely, the Coming!"    Back to 2 Thessalonians 2. Paul says that the "Day of the Lord" will not arrive before the apostasy arrives! Then "the man of lawlessness" is revealed, the son of destruction (v. 3). "Lawlessness" means "without law." The anti-Christ will make up the laws himself (v. 3).    There will be no laws that give freedoms of worship, or of Christianity. Daniel says of the anti-Christ that he will "speak monstrous things against the God of gods" (Dan. 11:36). "He will magnify himself above all gods" (v. 37b). He will be willful "indicating deliberate, arrogant perversity and self-will."    Paul further says the anti-Christ will be known as "the son of destruction" (2 Thess. 2:3). "Destruction" means "to destroy" with the idea of to "waste, bring about annihilation." He will bring on "worldwide deception." He will thus remove all laws that could spare believers. This could happen be degree before the church is taken away in the rapture.    Remember, the seven year period of wrath only begins when the anti-Christ makes the peace agreement with Israel. So many things can happen, even with this personality, whereby even believers are fooled here on earth before they are removed heavenward.    When the church is removed then "the lawless one" may be revealed, that is, be revealed as to who he is! (v. 6). Temporarily, he is "restrained" by the Holy Spirit (v. 7). If you are not convinced that the Restrainer is the Spirit of God, you need my technical Greek nationally published commentary on Thessalonians (entitled: "The Hope of Christ's Return" [AMG]) that well explains 2:6-9. This will help you get it straight!    Conclusion: The anti-Christ and his administration could begin working on our culture to enslave believers and take away their rights even before we could imagine! You need to alert your church!    One other important point: I am convinced that most pastors are not warning their people as to what is now happening in our society, and in our political administration in Washington. Pastors are very ignorant as to what is happening. They are narrow-minded as to what is now going on. Our Christian freedoms could be gone in the next twelve months!    --Dr. Mal Couch   (7/10)

REDEFINING RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

It is very possible that some in the government are planning to redefining religious freedom in America. We are checking this out and will let you know when we find out more about it. This would not surprise us at all. I have warned for the last five years to be prepared for Christian persecution on our generation. This may be it! –Dr. Mal Couch (7/10)

A SPIRITUAL KINGDOM

A friend of mine and I discuss the idea that amillennialists often speak of the church as a spiritual kingdom. There is no doubt that the coming millennial kingdom will be "spiritual" because it is what God will place here on earth with His Son reigning and ruling over the entire world. But to call the Millennium the same, or to call the church the same is not good theology. It is poor observation as to what the Bible teaches.    Creation is God's everlasting dominion and kingdom (Dan. 4:34-35), so said Nebuchadnezzar. But our discussion is about the earthly millennial reign of Christ, His one thousand year rule.    Amillennialists say the present church is that spiritual kingdom but the Word of God does not say that! It is the amillennialists who make that claim. I know what they teach. I have all their systematic theology texts and can spot their errors a mile away! I read the works of Reymond, Shedd, Strong, Hodge, Gill, etc. These men are out to lunch on this issue, though in many other areas they have a lot we can agree on. They allegorize the prophetic word. I don't see how they can do it, but they do!    Reymond uses the same wording as Progressive Dispensationalists. He writes about the "Already" and the "not yet." He calls this "eschatological dualism." He says, "In one sense the kingdom of God has come; in another sense the kingdom of God is yet to come." In what Bible verse does he get that?    Reymond writes that "Jesus now is speaking of the kingdom's arrival first in grace and later in judgment with cataclysmic power and great glory." It is true that the kingdom "did arrive" because the king (Christ) was present but the kingdom was not launched and begun because the Jews rejected Him. The kingdom was clearly postponed and will come at the end of the seven year tribulation.    I don't know why this is complicated or why the amills don't get it! Where does it say that the kingdom is now in place in grace?    When the kingdom comes it will be spiritual but it is not here yet!    Dr. Mal Couch (7-10)

HAPPENING FASTER THAN WE CAN IMAGINE!

Four Christians were arrested in Dearborn, MI. for witnessing to Muslims at an Islamic Fair. They did not pass out tracks or anything else. Islamic Sharia Law says that it is a no,no to witness to Muslims about Jesus. Our freedoms are now being taken away, and our President is part of the growing problem. Sharia Law will be in place before we know it! Thus, we'll have a two-law system in America, one for Muslims and one for everyone else!    In both of the President's message about Mother's Day and Father's Day, he mentioned about the importance of "two mothers" and "two fathers." This is a clear reference to homosexual parents. Also the Labor Dept. is mandating twelve weeks a year for anyone who is caring for children, including homosexual partners. This will force employees to give such leave to them as caretakers. It is an open way of acknowledging homosexual partnerships by the federal government.

PROPHETIC OBSERVER RIGHT ON!

The July issue of The Prophetic Observer is absolutely correct in terms of what it says about American history. The main article (Goodbye WASP=Goodbye U.S.A.) written by Noah Hutchings discusses the founding of America by the European, Anglo-Saxon, Reformation and Puritan leaders who made this nation. They incorporated into the founding strong Reformation and Protestant thinking.    This is what made America.    It was not folks from other religions who made this great nation. It was not people who came from Samoa or the Sandwich Islands! Nor people who came from Zimbabwe or Madegascar.    It was the Anglo-Saxons who came from Europe/England, with Reformation/biblical thinking. They incorporated their theology into the background of what brought America about. Anyone who denies this or does not know these great facts is just downright ignorant! And that is part of our problem today—open and blatant ignorance of history. Our President speaks about the great contributions of the Muslims. "Muslims have made great contributions to America!" he told a Muslim Congress. This is false and a travesty of history. Some may say it is a downright lie and a fabrication of the facts.   Everyone reading this needs my books "America, The Nations, And Israel" and "This Great Nation."  We are running out of these volumes so you need to act fast!    Thanks to Noah Hutchings and Larry Spargimino for this excellent July newsletter and for pointing out the contribution of the Anglo-Saxon Reformation folks for being used of God in making America!    Unfortunately, America is now going the way of other pagan nations. Our country is forgetting its roots. And Christians especially no longer know their great American heritage. We are into an apostasy, a judgment that will only bring this nation down.    --Dr. Mal Couch (7/10)