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The Christian Counter

	Part I: The Beast ~.~ Greetings in the name of our Father, God Almighty, and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. It is my heartfelt desire to share something with you, something very fascinating concerning the number of the Antichrist--666--that I stumbled upon some time ago. As a matter of fact, this isn't really a book at all, but rather a short compilation of information that was somehow revealed to me after seeing something interesting (concerning the alphabet) on a Christian television program. On the show, the letter "a" was given the starting value of 6 and increased by 6 with each following letter. Therefore, "a" would equal 6, and "b" would equal 12, and so on and so forth. This is not a Bible code, and I really have no idea who came up with this system of numbering the alphabet in this manner. I also take no credit for its origin; neither do I make any claim as to its authenticity. I do know, however, that something very special has come forth from it and is truly worthy of sharing. I shall do my very best to unravel its mystery, that which astoundingly falls into place and tells a story plainly for each and every one of us to see. Table for the Alphabet A = 6 H = 48 O = 90 V = 132 B = 12 I = 54 P = 96 W = 138 C = 18 J = 60 Q = 102 X = 144 D = 24 K = 66 R = 108 Y = 150 E = 30 L = 72 S = 114 Z = 156 F = 36 M = 78 T = 120 G = 42 N = 84 U = 126 The television program did not include anything about who came up with this table, and I don't know for sure whether or not anyone affiliated with the show knows who is responsible for it coming into being. For when I contacted them concerning what I had found, I received no reply. Nevertheless, it only took that one short spot and the few examples they gave on the program to peak my interest, instantaneously pulling out my pad and pencil to see what I could find out on my own. The show pointed out how Hades and Hell both equal the same number, 222, and went on to say that mark of beast adds up to the number 666. Well, that is all it took to hook me completely, starting me out on my quest in order to further investigate this matter wholeheartedly. Note how we come up with the total of 222 for both Hades and Hell. Hades, when given numerical values for each letter, would be 48 (H) + 6 (a) + 24 (d) + 30 (e) + 114 (s) = 222, and Hell would be 48 (H) + 30 (e) + 72 (l) + 72 (l) = 222. Since no one, to say the least, had this numbering system or code in mind when the alphabet was originally founded, I find this highly fascinating that two words having different spellings and yet the very same meaning would equal the exact same total using this very table. Adding the phrase "mark of beast" to this scenario, concerning the number 666, is something that blows my mind completely. Check and see: 78 (m) + 6 (a) + 108 (r) + 66 (k) = 258; 90 (o) + 36 (f) = 126; 12 (b) + 30 (e) + 6 (a) + 114 (s) + 120 (t) = 282; and this all adds up to the number 666. It is one thing to know that the number of the beast is supposed to be marked by the number 666, but it is quite remarkable, indeed, when the words "mark of beast" actually adds up to equal that precise number. "Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast": "for it is the number of a man"; "and his number is six hundred, threescore and six."Revelation 13:18 Herein lies not only the number of the beast, which is 666, but also the wisdom that comes through the recognition and understanding of this hideous mark. For mark of beast not only adds up to 666, but take your magnifying glass out and inspect the phrase "is wisdom." In so doing, you shall find that 54 (i) + 114 (s) = 168, and 138 (w) + 54 (i) + 114 (s) + 24 (d) + 90 (o) + 78 (m) = 498, that which brings us once again to the number 666 in the final calculation. Think about that for a moment. The Word of the Lord does not say that wisdom is the mark of the beast; God's Word is telling us that it is wisdom to the one who understands what the number of the beast truly stands for, and the fact that these phrases tally 666 not only confirm this but shall soon play out an important role in defining this very message. "...If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation"; "and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb": "And the smoke of their torment ascend-eth up forever and ever": "and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name."Revelation 14:9-11 A evil forehead might not be the best grammar, for one might argue that "an evil forehead" would be the proper way of writing it. Nevertheless, a evil forehead still equals 666 when tallied up: 6 (a) = 6; 30 (e) + 132 (v) + 54 (i) + 72 (l) = 288; 36 (f) + 90 (o) + 108 (r) + 30 (e) + 48 (h) + 30 (e) + 6 (a) + 24 (d) = 372; and this brings us once again to the total of 666, which is quite noteworthy. For remember how is wisdom equals 666, and then consider that the words "know code of" also comes out to the very same total. So let's put another one on top of these to see that a good understanding of the number 666 is going to be revealed throughout this study, and in so doing we shall reveal evil, the evil to come. For these very words, "reveal evil," are once again symbolized by the mark of the beast, 666. I suppose this might be a little "King James" version of my own, but a shame cometh also equals the number 666, and I don't think I would be in error if I added the words "grief of Daniel" to the list, once again a tally of 666. Let us consider Daniel's grief, having been shown such great and mighty things by our God, for he was mentioned by the Lord Jesus Himself when speaking about these end times. And the Lord Jesus did not try to explain the words of Daniel to a people without understanding; He plainly said that when you shall see the abomination of desolation which was spoken of by Daniel the prohet, standing in the holy place--whoso readeth, let him understand--then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains. This was written in Matthew 24:15-16, and although the words, "whoso readeth, let him understand," may not have been printed in red letters in the Bible, even as the words of Christ, the aforementioned part about when you shall see the abomination of desolation which was spoken of by Daniel the prophet is very significant, indeed. "And the king shall do according to his will"; "and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished": "for that that is determined shall be done. Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god": "for he shall magnify himself above all."Daniel 11: 36-37 Paul gave witness to the very same abomination of desolation, for he spoke very rigidly and admonished us in his writings that we, brethren, should let no man deceive us by any means concerning the day of Christ, that it is at hand, and cleary proclaimed what had to precede our gathering together unto our Lord. Read the next verses of Scripture very closely, keeping in mind that make desolate is yet another tally of 666, yet again bearing witness and confirming that something is being laid out here, that which perfectly aligns with the Word of God and shouts out as a warning to anyone who might have ears to hear and understand. "Let no man deceive you by any means": "for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition"; "who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped"; "so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God."2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 Yes, to reveal evil - is wisdom, and for one to stand in the holy place and proclaim one's self to be God, in God's very temple, will truly be an abomination (of desolation) before Almighty God; yet the Word of the Lord tells us that he shall prosper until the indignation is accomplished, and the great tribulation to come shall be marked by the appearance of this man, the beast, the Antichrist. Do the words "a dark master"seem relevant here? They should because they add up to 666, and so does the phrase "a strange god." Add it up for yourself. I have used a calculator and checked each example that I shall give many times over. If you want to check something, check this out: 36 (f) + 6 (a) + 72(l) + 72 (l) + 54 (i) + 84(n) + 42 (g) = 366; 6 (a) + 138 (w) + 6 (a) + 150 (y) = 300; falling away not only adds up to 666, but so do the phrases "people sin" (in worshipping the beast and his image) and "begin a kingdom." A evil enemy might not be proper grammar, but then again, NT CHRIST contains something that isn't even a word, yet one can't help but see that the mark of 666 has been clearly stamped on both of these examples. You can't see a evil enemy followed by NT CHRIST and not get the message here. A utter lie (666) might fall under the catagory of trying to prove one's point with a faulty example, but that doesn't take anything away from the fact that wrong one (666) astoundingly confirms this and points one away from following this abomination instead of the true Christ, even our Lord Jesus. The beast is called "the son of perdition" by the written Word of God, and it just so happens that a perdition, which is perfectly good grammar, equals 666, as does plague of man and lies only, which both describe the Antichrist to a tee. You see, I am not trying to persuade anyone of anything here. I just find all of this highly fascinating and much, much more than interesting. Just consider that when the alphabet was being shaped into form, man had no intention whatsoever of figuring all of this into the equation so that these examples would perfectly describe the beast, the Antichrist, and tally 666 accordingly. "...he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries. And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken"; "yea, also the prince of the covenant. And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully": "for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people."Daniel 11:21-23 It is wisdom to reveal evil, and the phrase "know evil" just happens to concur with this by adding up to 666. All Christians look for a day that Israel joins in a treaty of peace with their adversaries, yet this king (leader) is a liar and obtains the kingdom through flattery. The Word of God says that the beast shall work deceitfully after a league is made with him, and it is no coincidence that league breaker also is stamped with the mark of the Antichrist. It is no wonder that Jews beware (666) and foe of Israel (666) sound the alarm against aligning with this person, a king of evil (666). All three of these phrases are sealed with the mark of the beast and amazingly form a sentence when put together: Jews beware foe of Israel, a king of evil. Accordingly, all of these following examples perfectly describe the beast and equal six hundred, three score and six: a number named; a one of Satan; a death reigns; head of world; corrupt; man of woes; do wickedly. I have many other things that I would like to share with you, and you will be amazed not only concerning how all of this falls into place and actually tells a story when put together, but there are also many other wonderful equations which have nothing to do at all with the number 666 that are quite astounding. They were truly hidden nuggets of gold, even a treasure of wealth, that which assured me the Lord Jesus had something much more in mind other than just unveiling the mystery of the mark of the beast. For Deuteronomy 29:29 says, "The secret things belong unto the Lord our God": "but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever..." "Thus saith the Lord the Maker thereof,the Lord that formed it, to establish it"; "the Lord is His name"; "Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not."Jeremiah 33:2-3 "Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house" (Hebrews 3:1-2). The book of Hebrews offers a strong, vital word to all who are "partakers of the heavenly calling." This "heavenly calling" is this: that you hear heaven calling you. Even now heaven is calling for a people who are free from the materialism and foolishness of this world. This word is to Christians who are not living for the world, but who wake up each morning and hear Jesus calling them to Himself. They look at all that surrounds them and cry inwardly, "Jesus, my heart is not here, my future is not here. Nothing in this world satisfies me. You alone, Lord, are my life!" I believe there are many in the body of Christ who truly are not bound to anything on this earth. You could take away their house, bank account, job or business - everything but the clothes on their back - and yet still they would love God with all their heart. But faithfulness to God does not just mean a willingness to lose everything for His sake. In fact, Scripture says you can give your body to be burned at the stake as a testimony, but without the proper motive - without love in your heart - you will die in vain (see 1 Corinthians 13:3). Some think of faithfulness as simply living without lust and getting victory over sinful habits. Others think it means being constant in Bible reading, prayer, giving and church attendance. Still others think of it as going about doing good, or keeping pure by avoiding all that is evil and wicked. But these things can never make us faithful to God. You ask, "Do you mean all my striving against sin, all my sanctified service to God and crying out in prayer are not considered faithfulness? If that isn't being faithful, what is?" All these wonderful things indeed are commanded by the Word - and we will do them if we are faithful. But they in themselves are not the essence of faithfulness. You see, faithfulness to God is impossible unless it springs from a trusting, believing heart! I want to make a very simple statement - yet it is one we cannot overlook if we are to be faithful to God: You Cannot Be Faithful to God If You Allow Any Unbelief To Take Root in Your Heart. Unbelief in even its slightest form is hateful to God. It is a damning sin, one that destroys the soul. It hinders God's work in us - and it is the sin behind all departure from God. You can be totally weaned from all worldly possessions and long in your heart for Jesus' coming. You can sit under strong preaching and sing God's praises in His house. You can devour the Word of God every day. But unless you're praying, "Oh God, let me hear this word in my inner man; let me believe I can apply it and that it will become life to me," then it has no effect whatsoever. What you hear must be mingled with faith. "But the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it" (Hebrews 4:2). Let those words sink in: "Unless what you read and hear preached is mixed with faith, it is of no value to you!" Scripture says, "(Jesus) was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house" (Hebrews 3:2). In what way was their faithfulness measured? How were they truly faithful in all things? They were counted faithful because they never doubted the heavenly Father's word to them. They knew that what God said He would do, He would indeed fulfill. You see, faithfulness is simply believing that God will keep His Word. In this sense, Jesus and Moses "held the beginning of (their) confidence steadfast unto the end" (Hebrews 3:14). They didn't have an up-and-down, hot-and-cold, here-today-and-gone-tomorrow kind of faith. Their faith never wavered to the end! And just as Jesus was faithful in His confidence in the Father, our faithfulness will measured by the same standard: "But Christ as a son over his own house, whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end" (Hebrews 3:6). As our trials increase and the battle grows more intense, our flesh can become weary. And over time, many Christians allow fear and doubt to creep in. They lose their abandonment to God, their childlike faith in Him. Instead, caution and questioning invade their hearts. As I look down the road that remains of my life, I see limited time. And I want more than anything to be rejoicing in hope, firm to the end. I don't want to go out like so many believers I've seen, whose years were wasted because they didn't know where they stood in Christ. When the end came for them, I thought they'd have a certain strength, something that would refresh them to know they were nearer to meeting the Lord. But instead, they went out with a whimper - because they didn't hold firm to the end. Let me share with you how to become faithful to God and to hold fast your confidence all your days. If you want to be as strong in your last day as you are now in His presence, then take three things to heart: I. Don't Listen to the Lies of the Devil. We must remind ourselves daily, "I have an enemy who is out to destroy me. He is a liar, a deceiver and a seducer." Jesus said, "The devil... was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it" (John 8:44). Jesus has exposed to us the "father of all lies" - the instigator of every deceptive falsehood. All lies are birthed in Satan's bosom! And God clearly warned His church that, especially in the last days, the devil would spend all his time "accusing the brethren". "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world... for the accuser of the brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night" (Revelation 12:9-10). The devil stands before God twenty-four hours a day, accusing and spewing out lies against us. His lies are meant to disrupt our peace and confidence in God. Scripture says he "cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman [the church], that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood" (verse 15). This flood is a flood of lies! And the devil seeks to carry us away with it by planting doubts in our minds. Satan doesn't waste his time lying to sinners; they're already captive, held prisoner by his deception. No, Satan lies to those believers whose hearts are set on the Lord. He plants lies in the minds of the true seekers, God's holy ones. In fact, we can narrow this down even further: Satan Uses His Most Subtle, Convincing Lies Against Those Who Are Determined To Enter God's Provided Rest! "There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief" (Hebrews 4:9-11). "Rest in God" means a place of total trust in His Word. It is a place of faith where there is no struggle, fear or doubt. It is a settled rest, a continuous confidence that God is with us, that He cannot fail - and that He who called us will see us through to the end. Yet just when you think you are about to enter a new life of total rest and trust in the Lord... just when you think your flesh is crucified, that you no longer trust in you own works and instead depend on the Lord... along comes the old serpent with a pack of newly concocted lies and accusations. He gets the ear of your conscience - and using horrible lies out of hell, he excuses or accuses everything you do! Satan's direct target is your faith in God. He knows that your faith, if allowed to grow, will make all his lies ineffective. And when you stand before God and say, "I don't want anything in this world but Jesus" the devil knows it. He knows it not just by your words but by your actions, because it is no longer a merely a statement for you but a way of living. If you really meant what you've said, then beware - all hell is going to come at you! The devil will come to you in your prayer closet, follow you to church, hover over you on your job - and he'll say to his demonic powers, "Give him this lie... now give him that one!" I've read of the lives of many dynamic people of God, and all acknowledge that Satan came to them in their most productive, holy times, trying to destroy them with lies. Here are some of the devil's biggest lies: Lie No. 1: "You are making no spiritual progress." A voice whispers, "In spite of all your hunger for God, your self-denial, and all the ministry and preaching you have taken in, you have made no progress in your walk with Jesus. You are still sinful, hard-headed and full of self. You've been given so much, yet it has changed you so little. You will not grow up spiritually even if you live to be a hundred years old. Something is wrong with you. Others are growing and passing you by. What a phony you are, what a hypocrite. You're a weak, spineless, no-good Christian!" How many times has the devil come to you with these lies? First of all, beloved, we don't compare our growth by others'. And second, the devil isn't the one to tell you whether you're growing. In fact, he wouldn't come to you with lies unless you were growing! Lie No. 2: "You are too weak for spiritual warfare." The devil tells you, "This spiritual warfare is too much for you. You are worn out, weary and tired. You don't have the strength to go on fighting." In every waking hour he whispers, "Weary... worn out... at the end of your rope... give up... slow down... go easy... tired... tired... tired..." Daniel warned that the devil would be successful in wearing down the saints: "And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High" (Daniel 7:25). The Hebrew word used here is to "mentally tire, make the mind weary." Maybe you've heard that voice in your head recently: "I'm mentally drained - wiped out!" Dear saint, that is not the language of the overcomer. Yes, there are times when we become physically weary or tired. But the devil wants to use that to make us spiritually weary, and to rob us of the victory and the joy that is in the Holy Spirit. The fact is, much of our spiritual weariness is caused by this implanted lie from hell! Satan tells you, "Don't get so intense about the things of God, about the lost and hurting, the poor and the needy. You shouldn't work so hard. Just ease off." "Something is wrong - you're wearing down. You're supposed to be at rest. You must have sin in your heart. What terrible, hidden thing is in you?" You may ask, "David, does Satan inject those same lies into your mind?" Yes, absolutely! He tries to invade my study and whisper into my heart, "You are not a good shepherd - you have no true biblical rest in your soul. Look how hard it is for you to get a message. David, you are tired, dry...." "If you had faith, you would not have a daughter going through radiation and chemotherapy treatments. You would not have a cold that's hung on for weeks. You would be so full of power and revelation, multitudes would be flocking to God! You are just worn out - you have so little faith." Where does all this come from? From the father of all lies, straight from the pit of hell! Satan questions our faith, accuses our faith - and lies about our faith! Lie No. 3: "God is not with you - you have grieved Him away." Satan whispers, "He still loves you. But He is not with you now. There is something in you, something unseen, unknown to you. His blessing and favor are not with you at present." The devil will pound you with God's Word out of context. He'll say, "Didn't God leave Israel when they sinned? He cut them off and forsook them! Your present dry spell, your daily struggle with trials and troubles, are all proof that God is not with you. The Holy Spirit has left you!" This was the lie the devil planted in Gideon's mind. Israel had been delivered into the hands of the Midianites and suffered great cruelty at their hands. But God sent an angel who said to Gideon, "The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valor" (Judges 6:12). Gideon looked around him - then heard the devil's lie - and said to God, "If the Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen us? And where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt? But now the Lord hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites" (Judges 6:13). True, God delivered them to the Midianites - but only to chasten them. He never forsook His beloved Israel. And He has never given up on His people. He'll let us be chastened by the enemy, but when it's complete, He says, "Hands off - these are My people." God did perform His word, though Gideon saw no sign of it. I'm sure the devil tried to sell Moses on the lie that God would forsake Israel and no longer walk with them. But Moses knew God's heart and refuted that lie. He warned the people that they would backslide and turn to idols in the latter days, provoking God to anger. Sin would threaten their very existence and scatter them throughout the earth. "But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; (For the Lord thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them" (Deuteronomy 4:29-31). Beloved, we have an even more sure word from the Lord today: "For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me" (Hebrews 13:5-6). "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world" (Matthew 28:20). Right now, no matter what you're going through, Jesus has said: "I'll never leave you - I'll never forsake you." God is with you always! If you've been seeking the Lord, He is with you no matter what lies you hear, no matter what you feel or what your circumstances. And you need to stand face to face with the devil, before all the demons in hell, and say, "I don't care what you say about how I feel - God is with me!" And "if God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31). II. Examine Yourself - See If You Have Been Guilty of the Sin of Unbelief. "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God" (Hebrews 3:12). This is addressed not to the sinner - but to believers. He's saying, "You - partakers of the heavenly calling. Take heed, beware, watch out. Make sure you don't have an evil heart of unbelief!" This passage clearly equates departure from God with a heart of unbelief - not with drugs, alcohol or adultery; those things come when you depart from the Lord. No, the Word says the thing that will cause you to turn away from God is unbelief in your heart. The author of Hebrew ties it all together: 1) an evil heart of unbelief, 2) hardening of the heart, 3) departing from God. Here is how the process of hardening occurs: First you allow Satan to lie to you. Second, a seed of unbelief is planted. Then your hardness causes all kinds of disruptions: dryness, emptiness, a reliance on feelings and emotions. Eventually, you end up departing from God in your heart. Because of unbelief, Israel refused to go into Canaan and possess the land. The ten Israelite spies destroyed the people's faith and confidence in God with their bad report. So the Lord cast them all out into the wilderness to wander for forty years. They decided to go up to Egypt without God, and the Amorites defeated them. "And ye returned and wept before the Lord; but the Lord would not hearken to your voice, nor give ear unto you" (Deuteronomy 1:45). After the Resurrection, unbelief hardened the hearts of the eleven disciples. They knew Jesus said He would be resurrected, but their hearts were full of unbelief: "Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. "After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them. Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen" (Mark 16:9-14). Jesus ties together unbelief and hardness of heart. And unbelief was the one thing He could stand to see in His disciples. When He appeared to them, He "upbraided" them, meaning to scold or reprove sharply. In modern language, He "bawled them out." He was telling them, "I have no place for this!" As I examine my heart before the Lord, I have to say, "God, I count on You to tell me when I'm dry and empty. And even though I love You with everything that's in me, I some times feel that way. Lord, what is the root cause?" Hebrews 3:12 given us the answer: "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God." What? You ask. Unbelief in my heart? Yes! Because if you really believe what God says, He has everything you need if you just will come to Him. Are you living under condemnation? Are you dry, lonely or discouraged? Check your heart for unbelief. If you are not able to enter into God's rest, then unbelief is your root problem. You are guilty of having a wavering faith! "Ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any think of the Lord" (James 1:6-7). Inner turmoil is caused by our doubting God in some way. Yet how sharp and strong are His words to us on this matter: "Let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord!" III. Be Fully Persuaded That Your High Priest Is Touched by All Your Hurts - and That You Have Full Access to His Throne! "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet was without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:14-16). We have been invited into the throne room of the Potentate of the universe: "Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do" (Hebrews 4:13). He knows what you have been through, what you are going through now and what you face ahead. And He is waiting for you to come boldly to Him! You see, He Himself has experienced all that we are going through, at all points. And He is sympathetic, loving, full of mercy and anxious to help in our time of need. You don't have to explain anything to Him. You can just kneel before Him and say boldly, "Jesus, You know what I'm going through. I can't put it into words. But You've; been here, too - so please help me!" Is this your time of need? Do you know He is available at any time? You don't have to say, "I've got to go home and get in my secret closet to enter God's throne room." No, the throne is available to you anytime and anywhere. And God invites you to come boldly and without reservation, with full confidence that He will answer - that He will always keep His Word! Yet we are not to bring the abomination of unbelief into His presence. Instead, we are to "convince ourselves" and be "fully persuaded." "But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost" (Jude 20). Saints, we live by promises, not by what we see. And if we are to be faithful to God, we cannot sit around nursing our doubts. Instead, encourage yourself daily in the Lord, dealing with all unbelief, saying, "Lord, I'll not put up with it!" Reject the devil's lies, and build up your faith upon God's Word. Then you will be able to say in all your trials, "I will rejoice, because I have a place to go in my time of need." Hallelujah! " Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? DO NOT BE DECEIVED! Neither fornicators, nor idolators, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God." " And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God." ( I Corinthians 6:9-11 ) Drugs & the Christian Today in America, the widespread abuse of drugs and narcotics is a cancer that has devastated our nation. Drugs are linked to virtually every evil and criminal activity within our society. While it should be obvious that the use of mind-bending drugs is inappropriate for serious followers of Christ, yet there are Christians who occasionally attempt to justify their continued use of drugs. Let us be reminded that if any person has genuinely become a “new creature in Christ” the Bible says that old things are supposed to pass away... that all things should become new (2 Cor. 5:17). Therefore, every believer should seek to put on the new creation of Christ, and to put off the old life, including the continued use of mind altering drugs and narcotics. Christians should not do drugs for the following seven reasons: 1. Drugs have a Proven Connection with Sorcery and Witchcraft Revelation 21:8 “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” According to W.E. Vine’s expository dictionary of New Testament Words (page 1074), the word SORCERY comes from a Greek word, PHARMAKIA - used as a noun, it “signifies a sorcerer,” one who uses drugs, potions, spells, enchantments, as in Rev. 21:8. The english word for drugs, pharmacy, comes from this same root. Drugs and potions have traditionally been used in witchcraft and satanic rituals to induce deeper subconscious states which enable persons to have fellowship and communication with demons. Realizing the satanic relationship with drug use helps us to understand why abusers of drugs experience such bondage and depravation. No where in the Bible or in history have drugs been used to bring people closer to God - they have always been used in relation to bringing people closer to evil powers and demonic influences. 2. Drugs have an Obvious Affiliation with the Desires of Satan In the daily newspaper reports, the ravages of drugs are continually linked with the headlines of Death, Robbery and Destruction. If this sounds familiar, it should. According to the Bible, these happen to be the identical characteristics of Satan. John 10:10 “The thief [Satan] does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” Satan is the evil inspiration behind the destructive nature of drugs. They are his own tools which, when persons are under their influence, accomplish his goals and fulfill his wicked desires. Understanding the satanic relationship with drugs, Christians should find it easy to understand why drug use doesn’t mix with a Christian life-style. 1 Corinthians 10:21 “You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons.” 3. Drug use will Cause Others to Stumble According to the Bible, believers are accountable to avoid anything which would lead our brethren astray or cause them to stumble in their relationship with God. Romans 14:21 “It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.” For the sake of our brethren in Christ, and for our own protection from temptation, the Bible tells us to refrain from anything that may even “appear” sinful. “Abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thes. 5:22). Those who are mature in the Lord are supposed to use their life-styles as an example for others to follow. They deny selfish desires and personal preferences in order to minister to those who are less mature. Romans 15:1-3 “We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. {2} Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. {3} For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.” 4. Christians are no Longer Their Own The Bible says that we belong to the Lord and we are to glorify Him with our body and with the way we live. 1 Corinthians 6:20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. 1 Corinthians 10:31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 5. We’re not to be Infected by Mind Bending Stimulants The Bible warns believers to not be intoxicated by alcohol, and (by implication) others stimulants such as drugs1 which distorts our thinking or alters our ability to control our behavior. Instead, the scriptures teach that we should be under the influence of God’s power -- that is, we should be filled with His Spirit which gives us the “buzz” of His power, His peace and strength. Ephesians 5:17-18 “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. {18} And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit...” 6. We are Warned not to Defile God’s Temple 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? {17} If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.” Once again, we are reminded that Christians are God’s possession, and in fact, they are the dwelling place of His Spirit. For this reason, we must consider our bodies something sacred -- not something to be trashed or abused. The word defile means to “pollute, foul or corrupt.” 7. Addictions Are Not Pleasing To God An addiction is anything we cannot free ourselves from, which overrules our freedom to choose, whether physically or psychological. As Christians, we are given power over habits and behavior - they should not have power over us. 1 Corinthians 6:12 “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” Jesus Can Set You Free! If you are addicted to drugs, ask Christ to give you power to overcome them, and He will. Don’t seek to justify your addiction, but keep reaching toward full and complete freedom. “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name:” (John 1:12). Seek the anointed prayers of church leaders and other Christians -- God promises to honor their prayer of faith to help you (James 5:15). Be encouraged. God will never condemn the person who keeps reaching out to Him -- who keeps trying to grow and make progress in Him. If you sin, ask Him to forgive you (1 John 1:9), then get up and keep moving on and growing closer to Him. And be assured, the closer you draw to Him, the further He will withdraw you from the old life of sin and bondage !