Jesus -- The Rock That Will Not Roll
Part 3 of 3
(An expose of Satan's Minstrels of Music)
by Lt. Col. Jack Mohr, AUS Ret."Every good free bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit... Therefore by their fruits shall ye know them". - Matt. 7:18, 20
Jesus the Rock that Will Not Roll continued:-
DEATH OF A NATION
My advice to all of you who use God's "love and mercy"to put our church people to sleep is "Repent, or ye shall all likewise perish!"
God's Spirit is calling us to end the stage shows and dramas in His house of worship. His sword has been drawn, and soon it will be wet with the blood of the unrighteous hypocrites who have made a mockery of Him in the name of Christianity.
How can we reach men and women for Christ, when instead of "evangelization", we see "evangossip". They sing lies such as: THIS WORLD IS NOT MY HOME, I'M JUST APASSIN' THROUGH, as they get men and women, boys and girls to compromise with evil. They seem to completely forget Christ said we were to pray: "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, IN EARTH as it is in heaven". No wonder we aren't doing much to hold back evil!
We hear so-called Christians as they sing ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS, MARCHING AS TO WAR, when they don't even know there is a war going on, and when at the first sign of physical conflict, they retire to their spiritual foxholes, and spend fruitless hours praying for Christ to Rapture them out of the mess that was caused by their apathy. You can't fight a war hiding in a foxhole, and we are engaged in a "no quarter"' war to the death, against the forces of hell itself, whether you want to admit it or not. in your present state of apathy, you could well become a casualty!
All of you who want to "rock for Jesus" and "burn for Jesus," better repent, for God's wrath is about to be poured out on you as you shout your empty "hallelujahs, praise the Lord, Amens!" (By their fruits, not their loudness, shall ye know them".)
This is the day, when God's truth MUST be uppermost in the minds and foremost in our hearts, if we are to be victorious! Stay clear of compromise, as you would the plague! Take the sword of the Spirit and strike for the' glory of God for we are at WAR! Take the enemy into the spiritual realm, where the Sword of the Spirit will hack him into pieces. The enemy recognizes this danger, that is why he wants us to fight his way, using his methods, on grounds of his choosing. But to do this is to be annihilated!
I believe God wants us to exalt and worship Him in music. He always has! We are told to "Speak to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord", (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16). But we are told in Amos 5:23 - "Take away from me the noise of your songs . . . but let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream". if we do not do things God's way, He has promised to turn our song into lamentations (Amos 8:10) and just because you claim to be a New Testament Christian, and this was written under the Old Covenant, don't think it doesn't apply to you, for it does!
I believe the reason most "true Israelites" have an ingrained love for good music, is because God wants us to glorify Him by this means. But you can rest assured, that He does not look with approval on REGGAE, FUNK, BLUES, ROCK, or even worldly, country music.
Many of you in the church world have been deceived into believing that dancing around, shouting and clapping and discoing is doing God a service. You have been deceived! You are being used by your selfish, carnal nature, not the Spirit of God. For God's Spirit never does anything in an unseemly manner!
Compose and sing songs which are written according to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Compare such mighty songs as "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I'm found; was blind, but now I see". Compare this grandeur with the little religious ditties which are now considered songs of praise.
Compare "ye chosen seed of Israel's race, ye ransomed from the fall, Hail Him who saved you by His grace, and crown Him Lord of all". Compare this if you dare with your hand clapping, cymbal clashing, drum beating numbers which some of you call "songs of the Spirit". Which spirit, may I ask?
The preceding, in part, was taken from an article which appeared in the No.111 issue of the 1992 Christian newspaper BATTLE CRY. It may seem harsh and unloving to some of you "marshmallow-type" Christians, who inhabit many of our modern churches, but as one travels over America, they can see what is happening in our churches, as many of them have turned from being "lighthouses" for the Kingdom message in their community, into sort of glorified religious "Country Clubs", where men and women belong, because it makes them feel respectable. Many others have turned Into "glorified religious honky-tonks" replete with psychadelic lights and rock and roll music. if you put a red light over their door, they would fit into any whorehouse district in the toughest area.
These so-called Christians are taking a marvelous means of glorifying our God and turning it Into a "weak and beggarly element" which brings disgrace to His name.
ROCK AND ROLL CHRISTIANS!
The large crowd of teenagers, and young adults, leaped to their feet, leather jackets and long hair flying in every direction. The air is thick and hot as they whistle, yell and stomp, shaking the entire building. On stage, the band members look at each other with the satisfaction which comes with being idolized.
Suddenly the lead singer turns to the crowd, grabbing the mike, a savage scowl contorts his face which is plastered with sweat and his long hair. He leans back and screams: "Are you ready to ROCK?" and hundreds of fists are thrust upwards, as screams of pleasure from the crowd drown out all else.
I said: "Are you ready to ROCK?" This is the sound man's cue to crank up the amplifiers to unbearable sound levels. Then with three cross taps of the drum-sticks, a furious torrent of electric noise is released on the crowd, whipping them into an uncontrollable frenzy. For those packed tightly in front of the stage, all else ceases to exist as they enter a stage of amplified ecstacy. They breathe it in; they drink it in; they bathe in the sound as though It was holy water.
Where would you expect this scene to take place? In a seedy night club in some big city? Sure, but not just there. The scene described above is now taking place in thousands of churches in America. What makes them different from the sleazy night clubs. Nothing really, except that the band members and most of the listening crowd claim to be Christians.
From the beginning of the Christian Rock Movement, they have encountered much opposition from both within and without the church. Yet while coming under heavy criticism, they are receiving much support from the progressive, liberal church leaders. I guess it would be fair to call them the Laodicean church of Rev. 3.
Using loud mouths, bold and surly attitudes, religious rock has managed to infiltrate an ever growing segment of the "body of Christ". They claim their music has a message for all, yet their primary target is teenagers and young adults, over which they wield an extraordinarily strong influence. it is time for those who love God to take a deeper look at the "Jesus Rock Cultists", looking at them through the fiery eye of God's Holy Spirit.
The preceding introduction to JESUS ROCK was taken almost verbatim from the No.111 issue of BATTLE CRY, 1992.
The information that follows, in part, has been taken from members of this ministry, who have had years of experience in the field of "religious rock and roll". Some were former band members, radio disc jockeys and hippies. Many were involved in the "drug scene". They tasted the pleasures offered by rock. They tasted the poison of rebellion and self-destruction, but were conquered by Jesus Christ, and are now trying to warn His people of the dangers faced by our Christian youth.
I have taken some editorial license, but have been careful not to destroy their meaning. If you want to read the entire article, write to C.M.T.C., P.O. Box 992, Kiamath Fails, OR 97601, and ask for the 1992 issue of BATTLE CRY, No.111.1 would suggest that you send a donation to help cover cost of printing and mailing.
ROCK ORIGINS - SOUNDS FROM THE UNDERGROUND!
Before we go deeper into our study of so-called Christian Rock, it might be well for us to take a deeper look at the secular nature of "rock and roll" and see where it came from.
One does not need to be a brilliant historian to trace the roots of rock music back to it's origin. It began to take shape in America in the 1950's, although its immediate roots were in the "blues music of Black America". in the beginning, for the most part It seemed to be giddy, happy music, seemingly innocent enough, although crowds of youth would scream and fall to the floor, when Elvis Presley gyrated and thrust his pelvis at them. Even then, anyone with a teaspoon of common sense, could see that America was in for big trouble.
Those who have been addicted to the real thing, know that rock music stands for rebellion and sin. Everything about It, from the nerve shattering electric guitars to the hypnotizing drum beats, has sprung directly from the loins of men and women who have hated Jesus Christ and His church.
This music was specifically designed to condone everything the Word of God condemns as evil, with more modern strains of "trash metal" and "death rock" being especially evil; if it is possible to give degrees to sin.
All forms of sin are glorified in this ear shattering music and the more violent the better, so that everything from drugs, to witchcraft, to Satanism, to sodomy and murder, to having sex with the dead, is glorified. The day of "drinking a few beers with the boys"is gone forever, as far as our younger generation is concerned.
As long as rock music has been around, the personal lives of those who play it have faithfully reflected the trashy, cheap, self-destructive principles the music swears by. Rock stars have always been self-admitted whore mongers, sodomists, drunks and drug addicts. They glory in this and their devotion to Satan.
The lifestyle and messages of these Satanic deviates, represent the genera! attitude and behavior of America and all of Christendom. in no way, Church approval not withstanding, can it be described as Christian.
Rock music is the music of the "world system" and we know from the Bible that ". . . the whole world (system) lieth in wickedness", (1 John 5:19). This music was created by the ungodly. This cannot be denied, and these ungodly have only one master, and that is Satan, the "god of this world". In all fairness, we can say that rock and roil, old style or new, was the creation of fallen mankind, under the direction of the adversary. The question we need to ask ourselves is this: "Why under God's name, would professing Christians want to copy this worldly, ungodly form of entertainment?"
THE ORIGIN OF CHRISTIAN ROCK
It might be good to bring some facts to light. There was a time when no music such as rock and roll existed. Then suddenly, it was unleashed as a plague on the music world, as an attack against the moral foundation of our youth, by wicked men and women. Their ultimate motive was the destruction of White Christian civilization.
In the beginning stages of the "rock revolution", Christian America stood solidly opposed to this new "tribal beat," with its sexual suggestive stage antics. At this time of course, there was no such thing as "Christian rock," this came along later, as a more subtle means of destroying Christian youth.
When this Satanic music first arrived on the music scene, the issue was "black and white" and the battle lines were drawn. People knew which side they were on, and almost without fail, the Christian church in America, in the beginning denounced rock and roll, as at best, having an evil influence on our youth, while at worst an attack from hell itself.
At this time "Christian rock" was unheard of, and no one would even dare imagine such a monstrosity.
But times change, as do the attitudes of society, and as Christians began to let their guard down, they were bombarded through audio and visual media, with new forms of entertainment. Many factors, including the rise of television, the growth of Christian liberalism and the sexual/drug revolution of the 1960's, were responsible for transforming rock and roll from just another teenaged aberration, into a multi-billion do' liar goldmine and a national institution, which now yields tremendous influence over a major segment of America's people. In these days of apostacy, it is not unusual for the President of the U.S. to invite these deviates to play in the White House.
What should be obvious, and what needs to be understood by Christian youth of all denominations, is that "Christian rock" is nothing more than an attempt by so-called Christian musicians, to copy that which is a Satanic creation. They say: "It is alright, as long as we use it to glorify Christ." But the Apostle Paul, in Romans 3:8, clearly tells Christians that we "MUST NOT do evil that good may come from it!"
While "Christian rock" may seem to be a new music form, it is not! It is the same old Satanic beat, with Jesus' name attached to it!
It seems strange, that the vast majority of our Christian youth cannot see through the sham of "Christian rock", and understand that it is the same evil that was at one time denounced by most Christians.
"Christian rock" has come into existence within the last twenty years. it started out as "contemporary music", with "poppy tunes and happy beats," which are so often found in the music of the charismatic churches.
Since its beginning, it has progressed to the point where every form of secular rock, from "punk" to "heavy metal", and "country rock and rap", have been copied by those who call themselves Christian musicians, as a new form of praise has been presented to the church, as though coming from God Himself.
Another question needs to be asked: "What makes rock and roll, really roil?" How does one go about identifying rock music? By the way it sounds, of course! If you were to separate the lyrics from the music, and read them by themselves, you might get the idea that you were reading a batch of bad poetry. You can't recognize rock music from it's lyrics I But you could listen to the music, without the lyrics, and know immediately that you were listening to rock. As they say on the rock scene: "The beat goes on!" The words change, or can even be omitted, but the beat is still "rock".
Rock music is not now, and never has been "neutral". It Is sensual, sexual, and Infuses the mind of those who, listen to it, with rebellion against all that is decent. It was planned to do just that.
All music has the power to effect the mind, the will and the emotions of human kind. Music can calm and soothe, or it can irritate and infuriate. It can put you to sleep, or make you want to go to war. Ask anyone who have ever been at a rock concert and has experienced being "grabbed" by the intense amplified energy of live rock. The listeners are often whipped into a violent frenzy by hearing "heavy metal". it wasn't the words that did it, but the violence which the music carries in itself. This is why we so often see violent riots at rock concerts.
Even if this music is "neutral" and has no effect other than being a vehicle to carry the gospel, why would Christians use such an openly, Satanic style of music to glorify their God?
If it is true that only the words are important, as many defenders of Christian rock aver, then why would Christians want to associate with that which has been created by ungodly men to deny Christ? Remember, "Christian rock" was not created by those who love God, but by those who hate Him! Why do so-called Christian musicians insist on copying the methods of the worldly bands, even down to their dress, hairdoes, and actions? "By their fruits shall ye know them!"
CONFESSIONS OF A JESUS ROCKER!
The latest release from the new Christian rock band DIE HAPPY! Is potent stuff. It contains the same kind of music that excites our youth when they listen to "heavy metal".
The title track DIE HAPPY, keeps things at an intense level, while the tune rockets along like Megadeth at their very best. The haunting sound of "real" is as full and compelling as the current metallic ENTER SANDMAN!
CELEBRATION is the best cut on the album. This melodic blues "rocker" could fit right into a Jaguar or White snake album. it is a classic form of "get-go".
In the song SILVER CLOUD, the band sounds like LED ZEPPLIN LIVE, with a six minute artistic instrumental which sounds like what was once called "acid rock". The guitarist even uses a violin bow for a psychedelic solo which give screaming effects.
Overall, the message tries to show people that you can "die happy", because of the grace and mercy of God. It is the music, not the words which reeks of Satanism.
The new BLOW THE HOUSE DOWN, video, from the so-called Christian band ONE BAD PIG, (why would a Christian group even think of using such a horrible name?) is full-throttle trash (punkie and funk music).
Lots of stunts and antics abound, such as jumping into giant ice cream sundaes, skate boarders ripping up the stage, and a bunch of head bangers throwing their long hair around in a song titled CUT YOUR HAIR! (If Christian youth need this sort of garbage to attract their attention to Christ and His Kingdom, they are pretty far down the road towards the complete spiritual apostasy of the Laodicean church of Rev. 3.)
Along with the "piggish glee" is the ministry of ISAIAH 6, which is a song about having a repentant heart, and RED RIVER, a rocky tune which attempts to visualize the cleansing blood of Jesus. (ISAIAH 6, by the way, has absolutely nothing to do with that chapter in the Bible).
Here Is how this band was described by liberal so-called Christians who love it: "Overall this tape is a great time of music and ministry. The tape ends with the rollicking tune "Never Forget the Cross", which is something we all do well to heed. So get this tape, slam it in the VCR, crank it up LOUD, AND BLOW THE HOUSE DOWN!"
Sounds mighty Christian now doesn't it? Yet ask yourself: "What do pigs have to do with Jesus", other than that he used them to get rid of some demons. (Luke 8:31-33)
WORDS OR MUSIC?
If the words are all that matter why do Christian "rockers" worry about the sound? Could it be that the music is more important to them than the words? Is this why Christian youth become addicted to it and refuse to give it up?
THE STORY OF THE TWO TREES!
In Matt. 7:17-18, Jesus speaks to His disciples about two different kinds of trees and their fruit. Listen to what He said, as translated from the AMPLIFIED VERSION of the Bible: "Even so every healthy (sound) tree bears good fruit, worthy of admiration; but the sickly (decaying; worthless) tree bears bad (worthless) fruit; nor can a bad (diseased) tree bear excellent fruit worthy of admiration".
This principle, which is easy to understand, somehow eludes many Christians in this day. There are not two kinds of "rock and roil music", and "good" and one "evil". There is not "Christian rock" as opposed to "Satanic rock' ', for both come from the same Satanic source. There is only one source for this music, no matter what kind of a label you attach to it. It MUST always come under the evaluation of "evil fruit".
Any investigator into the lives of worldly rock stars, reveals a long trail of immorality, abuse and self-destruction. The same is true about the rock musicians who play so-called Christian rock. They cannot play this music, without becoming contaminated by it.
Why have Christians chosen to use rock music to preach their message of salvation and hope, when their Master tells them that they cannot get "good fruit from a bad tree"?
Rock and music was created to destroy souls, not to glorify God. If was designed to destroy the only element which has presented Christ to a "lost and dying world".
Christians who believe they can sanctify the music of the adversary by putting Christian lyrics with it, are deceiving themselves. Instead of sanctifying the evil music, they become defiled by it!
It becomes quite obvious that Christian youth listen to rock and roll because it gratifies their sensual lust for music. in modern terms "They get off on it!" They compromise their Christian integrity by yielding to the "lust of the flesh". They unthinkingly utter blasphemies such as "Jesus loves rock", or "We're rocking for the King". Nonsense, If they are "rocking" in any way, it's not for King Jesus. Jesus doesn't love anything that is of the devil, yet in their feeble attempt to justify themselves, they make a public shame and mockery of the Savior who died for them!
COPY CATS
It may be of interest to note that during this period when Christian rock has become popular, in every Instance it is copied from the music style of "unsaved rockers". I'm not going to stick my neck out to say that those musicians who play Christian rock, or those who listen to It are unsaved, but the scriptural "rule of thumb" still stands: "By their fruits shall ye know them!" Remember the old adage: "If it looks like a duck, waddles like a duck, quacks like a duck, has feathers like a duck, and runs around with other ducks; the chances are pretty good that you are looking at a duck". The same goes with Christian rock.
God does not desire His "born again" children to Imitate the world. In 1 John 2:15, we are told: "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world (system). If any man (woman) love the world (system), the LOVE OF THE FATHER IS NOT IN HIM". (Emphasis added.)
Don't get angry with me, those words are not original with me, I'm just passing on what the New Testament church taught.
You young people who love Christian rock, how much time do you spend with the Lord, attempting to find out His will for your life? Evidently very little, or you would not be using the devil's tool in a feeble attempt to glorify your King. Do you spend as much time studying His Word, as you do listening to the devil's music?
If Christians need to seek fun through Christian rock, why not open Christian bars and night clubs, where they could serve Christian booze? We might as well advocate Christian booze and cigarettes, and drugs, as Christian rock. All of them are absurd and destroying. Or what about Christian pornography? Would you be willing to have your Christian sister pose in the nude, for some so-called Christian magazine, so that Christians could look on and lust after one of their own? Absolutely stupid! Doesn't make much sense, now does it?
The concept of Christian rock is no less dangerous than putting a label on a bottle of Old Grandad, which states: "OK FOR CHRISTIANS, BECAUSE IT WAS DISTILLED FOR CHRISTIANS BY CHRISTIANS, HAVE A CHRISTIAN DRINK!"
Rock music is mind-altering, addictive, and manufactured by the enemy to destroy you. How many times must I say this? If you can't or won't see this obvious truth, it Is because you have closed your mind to the truth. Or are you one of those in whom the "god of this world hath blinded you, so that you can't accept the truth and be saved?" You say: "I'm already BORN AGAIN!" Then act like it! Don't act like one of the devil's crowd.
God alone knows how many children, who have been raised by God fearing parents, in the way they should go who have been destroyed by Christian rock. The pastors and lay members of the church that allow this aberration in their church, will be held accountable before God for this. They will have no defense when they stand before the King.
The deliberate destruction of souls is no light matter in the sight of God, and you should encourage your church leaders to remember Christ's words in Matt 18:6 - "But whoso shall offend (hurt) one of these little ones (youth) which believe in Me, it were better that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea". God will not overlook the blasphemy of Christian Rockers, nor the church authorities which allow them to act In their churches.
An analogy of sanctifying Satanic music by using Christian lyrics, would be like a preacher preaching the salvation message while he was drunk, or by someone like Jimmy Swaggart, or Jim Bakker, preaching on Christian chastity while living the life of a whoremonger.
Much can be said about the heretical misconceptions of Jesus Rock. But we need to take a closer look at the "rockers" themselves. Go to any Christian book store and pick up a Christian music magazine. Look at the way these Christian rockers dress. Their costumes, their hairdos. Their actions are a 100% imitation of the worldly crowd. Nothing is left out from the skin tight spandex, to the leather jackets covered with spikes and chains. Some stoop so low as to wear women's underwear in direct conflict to God's Law which say that it is an abomination for a man to wear women's clothing.
The Jesus Rockers defend themselves by saying that outward appearance don't mean anything, because Jesus looks on their heart. But this type of ungodly reasoning is in direct contrast with what the Apostle Paul said in Romans 12:2- "And be not conformed (fashion yourselves after) to this world (order): but be ye transformed (changed) by the renewing of your minds, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God". You can't do the "perfect will of God", when you are involved in worldly pursuits.
Rock and roll music, and everything connected with it smacks of spiritual debauchery and when Christians insist in dabbling around with it, and identifying with it by wearing its clothes, and using its language and styles, then they are in contradiction with God's Word and are bringing discredit to Him.
The Jesus Rockers will angrily assert that it's what is in the heart that counts, and this is essentially true. But they often forget that outward appearances, and actions, indicate the heart's condition for "as a man (woman) thinketh in their heart, so are they", (Prov. 23:7). if they are not worshiping the gods of rock, then why dress like them and act like them? The "copy cats" are so anxious to be accepted by the world that they go out of their way to wear the same hair styles, and mimic the surly, rebellious facial expressions of those who bite the heads off live chickens on stage. I've never seen a so-called Christian Rocker, who looked truly happy or contented.
Their imitation of the world does not stop with their dress and expression, but is carried over into their loud and suggestive antics of the "hard rock" crowd. They did not learn these nasty habits from the Holy Spirit, of that you can be sure, for we are told, that when a man or woman really become "born again" they become new creatures". "Therefore if any man (woman) be in Christ he (they) is a new creature; old things have passed away, behold all things become new", (2 Cor. 5:1 7). This means a 180 degree change from worldly directions to the Christian way, the way of the Spirit. If this didn't happen when you made your commitment to Christ. If this change didn't take place, then what you got was a "pseudo-experience" and you are still lost. It wasn't that commitment card you signed that saved you, nor was it that little prayer that was handed to you printed on a card, made up by some preacher. Being s~ved, comes when you are "called by the Spirit of God to repentance, when you recognize yourself as a sinner worthy of the death penalty, when you confess your sins, to God, not to some preacher or priest, and when you are truly sorry for your disobedience and turn from your evil ways". This MUST come before the Salvation Experience can take place.
In terms of scriptural principles, both Old and New Testament, the entire Christian rock scene smacks of rank hypocrisy and complete lack of scriptural standards of holiness and decency. For that reason alone, I believe these rockers cannot be genuine Christians, for "By their fruits shall ye know them! "it is relatively easy to stand up In church and tell what Christ has done for you and how you love Him, but if you are following Satanic principles, you are nothing but a sham, a liar, a religious hypocrite and the truth Is not in you! Harsh? Yes, but you better believe it - TRUE!
Godly discipline and chastisement are completely foreign to the fakes In the Laodicean church, for when you know what true Christianity is all about, it is clear that the reason so-called Christian youth copy the world, is that they have no spiritual substance In their life. You may say: "You are being un-loving and judgmental". But maybe it's time that more Christians became "fruit inspectors", instead of taking so many fakes at "face value". Or is it the Christian way to be "played for a sucker?"
The same pastors and church members who back Christian rock have a twisted concept concerning their liberty in Christ. They have been taught by the "wolves in sheep's clothing" who stand behind their pulpits, that "Christ did away with the Law on Calvary. You don't have to live by that old Law anymore". This, even when the Savior Himself said that He had not come to do away with the law, but to confirm or fulfill it. Or when the Apostle Paul said we do not do away with the law, but establish it. (Romans 3:31)
The laws regarding personal purity, adultery, fornication, sodomy, etc., were not changed when Christ died for our sins. in fact Jesus was harder on sinners than the Old Testament, for He said in John 5:28 that anyone that looked on a woman, to lust after her, has already committed adultery with her in his heart. How many of you Christian rockers can honestly say that you have not committed mental adultery" as you listened to the ungodly beat of the music, and watched the ungodly antics of so-called Christian girls around you?
These young people poke fun at those of us who want to live by standards of Biblical decency. They call us "old fashioned party-poopers"! The only thing they have from Christ is His name, and they mis-appropriate and defile that. They do not worship the Christ of the Bible, they follow "another foreign adulterated Christ", the god of this world. This Is what makes them popular with the Laodicean church crowd. It's no wonder the risen Christ said to them (Rev. 3:16) "So' then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew (spit) thee out of My mouth". Christ never did take kindly to hypocrites!
The risen Christ said that these poor befuddled church members tell themselves: "We are rich and have an increase of goods (stocks and bonds), and have need of nothing". But the King replies to these by saying: "But they do not realize they are wretched, and miserable and poor, and blind, and naked". That's about as bad a' shape a person can get in! Yet it's the state most of our professing Christians are in today! Pity that poor church member and his family, and the "brainwashed"' 'wolf in sheep's clothing" who has led them astray. God's wrath will fall on such when He has had enough, and I surmise that it will fall heaviest on the pastors who have led them astray. (We could honestly designate many of these as Baal priests).
While we know from sad experience, that hypocrisy can be found in most churches, we still seldom find professing Christians dealing in drugs, fornicating in the church parking lot while an evangelistic meeting is in progress. Yet these are the kind of actions which are bred by the Christian rock culture. The problem of sin in the church has always been with us, and will remain so long as men and women are rebellious towards God and seek to "do their own thing". We have had our Jimmy Swaggart's and Jim Bakker's in the church for centuries, but it is beyond belief, when we see professing Christians as they openly allow the Satanic influence of Christian rock to invade their church, to where rock activities become the norm among our church youth.
When someone asks how these agents of the adversary have gained so much ground within the "body of Christ", we must repeat the number one argument used by the "religious rock" enthusiasts.
When questioned about the odd costumes; lanky, greasy hairdos; loud music, and un-civilized stage antics, many Christians try and justify them by saying that they are merely "reaching young people for the Lord, who could never be reached any other way". They say: "We are doing this in order to reach lost souls!" How very spiritual! In fact, this spurious argument has been swallowed by millions of Christians around the world, without even attempting to put it under the magnifying glass of God's Word, and see if it "measures up".
I'm afraid that converts made in this un-scriptural manner may be like those Jesus accused the Pharisees of making. In Matt. 23:15, he told the Jewish church leaders: "Woe unto you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites: for ye compass (go over) sea and land to make one proselyte (convert), and when he is made, ye make him two4old more a child of hell than yourselves". We could certainly par'aphrase this to fit the converts made under the influence of Christian rock.
If some who read this are skeptical, listen to this news account which appeared in the COMMERCIAL APPEAL, the leading newspaper in Memphis, TN, March 28, 1993, under the title ORGANIZERS SAY ATTACKS NOT RACIALLY MOTIVATED. In part, this is what this account said: "Two teenagers were injured outside The Pyramid (evidently a bar) following Friday night's Life Focus '93 Rally, a revival where a predominately young crowd became unruly witnesses said Saturday".
NOTICE CLOSELY NOW: "The rally featured what was billed as a Christian rap concert by the group of ETW and, after the concert, a speech by former gang member Joseph Jennings.
"Life Focus executive coordinator Howard Eddings said it took officials a while to quiet the boisterous crowd before Jenning's speech. Once his anti-violence, anti-drug talk was over, the 12,000 teenagers poured out of the arena. As they did, one boy was beaten, and a girl was knocked to the pavement.
LIFE FOCUS RALLY ENDS IN RIOT!
"About 115 black and white Protestant churches were in participation in the Life Focus program. Organizers said the event's purpose was to convert young people to Christ, and to help unify the races. (Put miscegenation here and it would be more correct).
Christopher MacDonald, 14, one of those Injured, went to the concert after hearing about it from the Cathedral of Praise Assemblies of God Church where he attends. He and his friends were on their way back to the church van when the attack occurred. Bill Patterson, who went to the hospital to check on his daughter Meghan, 14, who was the other teenager injured, said his car was pelted with rocks by the youth when he left the hospital". Sounds like a fine Christian evening of entertainment, doesn't it? Yet it's what can be expected if you allow your teens to attend such a function. They may gain something there, but it won't be Christianity.
It is blasphemous for any Christian organization to teach that a righteous and holy God would use anything as demonic as rock music to lead men and women to Christ. An analogy might be that of a Christian using the occult to win the world for Christ. It just doesn't Work that way! The "end never justifies the means". A Christian MUST "never use evil means to bring about good", for it never does!
Few Christians in our day have reached the point where they are willing to put their life on the line for Jesus. I know they Sing about it, but how many Christians do you know who practice the Sentiment of this hymn?
"Must I be carried to the skies,The men who are willing to fight are few and hard to find, that's one of the reasons why America and Christendom is in this mess today. We could have Stopped most of this corruption at the end of WWII, with a little faith in God, and Some of the courage we Showed during the war. Instead, most patriots, including those who are Christians, thought that what they did during that War was enough, and forgot that "Eternal vigilance is the price we MUST pay for freedom". The same is true in the spiritual realm. We MUST not get Saved in order to retire to our "air-conditioned Spiritual foxhole" to wait for God to rapture us out of the mess which has been caused by our apathy. First because It is not going to happen, and Second, because it Is Shameful for Christians to act this way. This is why the writer of the book of Hebrews stated In (12:4) "Ye have not yet resisted unto blood (death) Striving against sin". What Is sin? The definition is given' in 1 John 3:4: "Sin is transgression (breaking) of the Law".
On flowery beds of ease?
While others fought to win the prize;
And sailed through bloody seas."No, I MUST fight, if I would REIGN,
Increase my courage, Lord,
To bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by Thy Word!"Most Christians love to talk about "ruling and reigning with Christ", in His Millennial Kingdom on this earth. But according to Rev. 2 and 3, only those who OVERCOME will "rule and reign with Him" You can't be an OVERCOMER and be in the crowd that sanctions rock and roll In the church.
Many Christians who support "religious rock" (that is a more accurate term than "Christian rock", for these can be no such aberration), may be sincere. But it is well to remember that "sincerity is only a matter of intent it has absolutely nothing to do with truth." There will be many "sincere" Professing Christians who will hear the Lord say: "Depart from me, I never knew you!" Don't be one of these. Test the Spirits to see if they are of God. You can do this by placing them under the powerful magnifying glass of God's Word. The errors will always show up if you do this honestly!
There is a mighty rough road ahead for the professing Christian who refuses to obey the King without question. Many of these have taken Jesus as Savior", sort of a Celestial Fire Insurance Policy in order to avoid hell. (I'm not sure this will work). But few of these want to accept Him as King, for when they do, they must recognize His right to give them orders which MUST be obeyed. When you accept Him as King, you recognize His right to reign and rule in your heart, and many Professing Christians, including multitudes of pastors, do not want to "give up doing their own thing".
According to the Word, it will only be a matter of time until the patience of God comes to an end and He says: "Enough!" I have often wondered how He has put up with sinning mankind as long as He has. His love and patience Is indeed "long suffering". So In the face of the fact that we can expect Him to return soon, in fact at any time, we should remember the warning of the Apostle John in 1 John 5:21 - "Little children keep yourselves from idols". What did he mean by this? What are these idols in 1993? They are anything which we place in our life before God, it could be wife, children, a boat, a big car, a nice house, a good job, anything. God MUST always come first!
We read these sobering words In James 4:4 - "Ye adulterers and adulteresses (those who live immoral lives), know ye not that friendship of the world (order) is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world (order) is the enemy of God". Those are not my words, they come straight from the Book. Christian young people, if you love and honor the deviate performers in the rock world (religious or secular), you are, according to God's words, an enemy of God.
Titus 1:16 speaks about those who profess Christ, but do not possess Him: "They profess that they know God; but in (their) works they deny Him, being abominable (detestable), and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate (worthless)".
Checking out a number of different Bible versions, we can come up with this translation, which does the original full justice: "They openly claim to know God, but in their actions they disown Him. They are degraded and self-willed, and when it comes to doing good, they are probably frauds".
God is not concerned with whether we are entertained or not, but He does desire to see the "fruit of the Spirit" ripen In our lives. This is the fruit which comes from "Godly discipline, holiness and sacrificial love for both God and our fellow man".
We can only choose God's path by denying our fleshly lusts, whether they are for sex, money, ungodly music, power, or what have you.
The Apostle Paul admonishes us in Romans 6:12-13- "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God".
REMEMBER ALWAYS, ABOVE EVERYTHING ELSE, ONCE YOU HAVE ACCEPTED CHRIST AS SAVIOR, THAT OBEDIENCE TO GOD MUST ALWAYS PRECEDE VICTORY!
The End