Smoke and Mirrors

Genesis 19:28  And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace.

On 911 it was clearly seen from all directions, the smoke. No matter where you peered upon the remains in New York City, smoke ascended toward the heavens. Today the memory of that fateful day is seen by many as a start to a new age of warfare upon the people who tried to send us a message. Indeed it was a message.  For many, the message was one of World War III. This war would be between terrorists and the United
States. However, others saw this as a battle between Islam and Christianity. For them, the USA is the dominant Christian nation. No matter how you may view this new error, for many in the Middle East, it is a war between the rivals of major religious views. It is one which sees Christian crusaders coming against the Muslim armies. It is sad statement that this so-called Christian nation is filled with so much godlessness and violence.  Is this really what it is all about? America is good at Smoke and Mirrors. The slick ad campaigns today for the Armed forces continue to bring in new recruits. Many of these young people have been raised on computer games and violence. The Armed forces reel in these unwary recruits with the same tactics by using modern technology and slick ads to bring a message that appeal to them.  This is the same nation that continues to feed the wealthy and prosper the rich, while many today are facing tough times. As gas prices go upward, the major oil companies are making more money today than at anytime in history. Yet, we are told, it is our fault. We simply use too much gas. This is an argument that is repeated over and over on the bias news on network television.  For many Americans, the cars they use get them to work and back again, commuting two hours or more daily is now growing costlier.  Then as we look at this scene in this nation, who is to be believed?  The congress right now is in the process of funding the Iraq war.  Can the people we have elected really get anything done? The approval rating for both congress and the president are low. They blame each other and still fight on. Yet, the war goes on. What is this nonsense about funding the war? Does anyone actually believe that we ever had the money to wage the war in the first place? Do you know that this so-called money is just debt? It is funds that are funneled to the USA by the Federal Reserve at interest.  We are in debt in this nation by trillions, yet we have to fund the war. Are we really funding anything? Isn’t this all about agreeing to go into more debt? Do you know that you, I, and our families are in debt personally and in debt nationally? Do you know that this generation has one of the highest debts in recorded history? Don’t believe me, check the facts out yourself.  

America has always been good at Smoke and mirrors, so much so, that many of our churches have adapted the same tactic. You will find in the recesses of our religious institutions homosexuality, fornication, carnal love, greed, hatred, bias, and many of the more carnal virtues found in this nation. But it is alright the religious leaders say. For after all, they say “God made me this way”. As you creep into your padded pews, worshipping in the best built churches on the planet, while listening to the best educated ministers on earth, don’t forget, the sign on the door says “Ichabod lives here”.   

Moreover, the scripture at the beginning of this article, is a scene after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Remember Abraham lived on the plain, while lot pitched his tent toward these wicked cities. God said “the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly” - Genesis 13:13. In Revelation 18:4 it says for Gods people to “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plague”. If you are trusting in your government to keep you safe, don’t, they won’t succeed. The governments own agencies and officials say its not if, but when, this pertaining to a nuclear strike within our own nation.  We have even heard from the governor of Kansas, and others who during a disaster had no help from the National Guard of their own state. The reason is, “all their assets and people” are still overseas fighting battles.  

The smoke and mirror in America is so thick today you can cut it with a proverbial knife. The government today cannot tell truth without coloring it to suit their political viewpoint.  Amidst all this, Americans are so busy paying bills, raising families, and carrying on with their life, they see nothing wrong with this. Many are so trusting of this nation’s government and its goals; they are ready to go to the ends of the earth to see it through. Meanwhile we continue in this nation to break Gods laws. Our churches and religious leaders, just as in the time of Jesus Christ, are crucifying him again. They don’t believe in him, follow him, or even tell the truth to their own people. The sad thing is, many Christians have no idea what their own bible really says, nor do they believe our God is a miracle working God, full of Grace and Mercy.  

Still, amidst all the smoke and mirrors today, God is sending a shaking in the entire world. In Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21, Jesus warned us of all these things. He told us to watch. He told us to pray. He told us not to be deceived. Many believers want a simple quick fix to knowing God. For them, they want a God burger with everything on it, hold the onions, but make it quick. And yes, add some fries and a shake. This is their God meal, instant, quick, fattening, and not a bit nutritious. Jesus Christ warns us:  

Luke 21:34  And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.   

35  For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.   

 

36  Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.