The Great Deceiver (part 2: The Devil Exposed)

We saw in "The Great Deceiver (part 1)"  that Satan and his Angels were thrown out of Heaven. It stands to reason that if you were in something, then were thrown out of that something, you must landed somewhere, correct? Since Satan and his fallen angels were thrown out where did they land?

Turning to Revelation 12:9, you would see clearly where the Devil and his angels landed. My reason for giving you all of this background is so that you can better understand the reasons why we do so many crazy things.

I want to expose who it is that we are really serving if we enjoy the things of this world. My young people I don’t want to confuse you—all I want to do is make you aware of the things you are doing before it is too late. If Revelation says that the Devil and his angels were cast out of Heaven and that they were cast out into Earth, then who do you think it is that causes you to do all of these crazy things?

My young people why do you think Satan is called the great deceiver? He’s the best in the game. James chapter 4 and verse 4 says "whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God". The great book is saying that if you like the things of this world such as the wicked music, the evil television shows, the soap operas, music videos of naked women, and all the immoral things that brings down mankind values this is what makes you a friend of the world and a enemy of God.

My brothers and sisters I don’t want you to think that I am perfect: I used to do all of what you enjoy now, but I found favor with God almighty and those things no longer entice me. How do you get to overcome those struggles? You must die to self daily. That means for you to pray more (if you've never prayed before start now!).

Here are some encouraging words from God himself:

James 4:7, 10 "submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Humble yourselves before in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up."
Matthew 21:22 "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive"
Isaiah 65:24 "And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear."

So you see young people all you have to do is pray and believe that he will do it for you. I have only given you enough to spark your interest, but it goes much deeper that what I have told you. May God bless you to understand much more.

By Elder Maurice Mason

The Great Deceiver (part 1)

Today we start out by focusing on the Holy Bible—specifically the book of Revelation—concentrating on chapter 12:7-9; 12.

The Bible says "And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Therefore rejoice, [ye] heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! For the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time."

My young people I want you to focus on a few important words in the previous scriptures. The word of God said that “...there was war in heaven”. Think to yourself: how could there be war in Heaven? Isn’t heaven supposed to be a perfect place?

Hold that thought in mind. “Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.” The dragon was cast out of Heaven, with his angels. But wait—what does that have to do with the great deceiver? Read a little further. Where was this devil and his angels cast out to? The devil, my brothers and sisters, was cast out into the earth, where you and I inhabit. Young people can you picture where I am going with this story?

My brothers and sister when will we wake up to what is really going on? The devil is wrath with you. Maybe you asked yourself this question over a million times: "why is the devil wrath with me? I didn’t do anything to him!" You are one hundred percent right. You didn’t. He lost the war so someone has to pay. Think of this while you ponder on this bizarre situation: your brother or sister was in a fight and they won, but the person that lost the fight, out of anger, will find someone that is related to the winner and fight them in order to get some type of satisfaction out of the loss.

Now you have to understand that we were made in God’s image (not the other belief that we came from apes). You and I are too good-looking to come from Apes. Now if you read in the book of Genesis 1:26 it says "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth." I want you to focus on the italicized portion of this verse; it says we were made in God’s image and in his likeness. Do you now see why the devil is wrath with us?

Tune in next time for part 2 of the Great Deceiver to find out how is this wrath is being carried out on God’s image.

By Elder Maurice Mason

What Happens to the Dead in Haiti?

With all of the death and destruction that we became aware of in Haiti, many individuals around the planet groaned in empathetic pain and began to think about the relative frailty of their own existence. Lives were extinguished quickly. Aspirations, property, and places were reduced to rubble and morbid installations of doom.

Makeshift memorials were erected quickly—even here in NYC's populous Haitian-American communities—sprouting up like tender buds in the spring. Glimmers of hope flickered with cursory activity, like the flames on the colorful candles placed curbside, wallside, in the rubble, and anywhere the believer thought best. The lives of the victims were celebrated and remembered in whatever crude or elaborate way possible.

The State of the Dead
This blanketing wave of destruction lead to confusion, fear, and uncertainty. What was one of the most uncertain issues? The state of the dead in Haiti.

What happens to the dead Haitians? Some were innocent of the occult practices that they were accused of, yet they were killed in the earthquakes. Some were involved in forms of wrongdoings, and were killed in the earthquakes. Some were Christians, some agnostics, some Muslims, some atheists, some involved in other [religions], and they were all killed in the earthquakes.

Some fear that the dead will rise again. Some insist that the dead "spirits" must be comforted. Some argue that the dead are in a transcendental world. While the questions are certain to come, there is no need for uncertainty. The Bible is both vocal and clear with answers on this matter.

In Ecclesiastes (a book in the Bible written by the second wisest man ever), the Bible says "…never again will they have a part in anything that happens under the sun…" What this powerful statement tells us is that the Haitian dead—as well as the tourists or anyone else who died in the tragedy there—are simply dead. They are doing nothing right now except decomposing. They do not roam the streets at night seeking solace. There is no need for libations to be poured out. No need to place offerings at their tomb.

The Bible also says "...For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even the memory of them is forgotten. Their love, their hate and their jealousy have long since vanished..."

Now that they are dead, what is the next step for the dead? The Bible says "…And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment…" Like all humans who have died, they will be judged [at the appointed time] to determine their fitness for eternal life in heaven. They are dead right now, awaiting judgment.

The Absolute Authority
We are fortunate enough to have the Bible as our absolute authority on all things relating to death. The Bible gives us documented proof that the dead are actually dead. This removes the fear and uncertainty that has enslaved billions of humans regarding loved ones, spells, and beliefs that the dead spirits will plot harm against the living.

Follow Up
What can we do right now, while we are alive? We can turn our lives around and allow Jesus Christ to be in control. This is a prime opportunity for us to secure our standing in Jesus so that our opportunity to make it to heaven becomes real. Jesus has allowed us time to do this before it is too late. Are you ready? Stop by our church. We can help you take the next steps.

God bless you, as you bless others.
Elder Scott Hampton