Why Its Not Enough

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=168 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF" background="129a11c3.png"> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Welcome to the Heart4God Website!"><U><B><IMG SRC="4b55a500.png" border=0 width="90" height="80" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Writings of Joseph Herrin"><U><B>Writings by Date</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id212.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Writings of Joseph Herrin Organized "><U><B>Writings by Topic</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.heart4god.ws/Audio/index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.heart4god.ws/Audio/index.htm"><U><B>Audio Files</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id690.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Videos"><U><B>Videos</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id323.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Writings of Others"><U><B>Other Authors</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id324.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Links"><U><B>Links</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id339.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Questions and Answers"><U><B>Q&A</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id328.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Heart4God Email List"><U><B>Heart4God E-mail List</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.parablesblog.blogspot.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.parablesblog.blogspot.com"><U><B>Parables Blog</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id306.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="File Downloads"><U><B><IMG SRC="2b264140.png" border=0 width="100" height="20" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <bR> <div> <B>Why Its Not Enough</B></div> <div> <IMG SRC="c2827160.png" border=0 width="807" height="22" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> Joseph Herrin (10-28-01)</div> <bR> <bR> <div> This evening as I was worshiping Yahweh along with an anointed worship CD, I was moved with the knowledge of the incomparable and awesome nature of the One true God. I was moved deeply with a love of Yahweh as I considered the holiness of His nature. As I worshiped, an understanding of America’s failure to grasp these same truths, and her consequent judgment, arose in my mind along with an urgency to share this message. I urge the reader to carefully consider these words, for the hearts of the majority of the saints are not right before God. The hearts of this nation’s leaders are not right, and the hearts of many of those who stand as leaders of the church are not right.</div> <bR> <div> In a recent article entitled “America Makes an Offering” I discussed the prayer service attended by the President and many other leaders in the National Cathedral located in Washington D.C.. I spoke of how the Father has no regard for offerings that do not show Him proper reverence, and how this service that was begun with a Muslim cleric praying to the false deity Allah was an offense to a holy God who said that He would have no other gods before Him.</div> <bR> <div> Since that time, the leaders of this nation have continued on a similar course of profaning the holiness of the One true God whose name is Yahweh, whose name alone is to be praised and worshiped. Just this week the Congress has called for a day of reconciliation, and members of congress who are reported to be Christians have taken the lead in organizing this day which is to call the nation to seek to be reconciled to God. Many Christian leaders and organizations are heralding this initiative of the members of Congress as a sign of revival beginning to stir among the elite of this nation and the beginnings of a return to righteousness in our government. Such views are carnal and those who hold them have failed to view these matters from a perspective of understanding the holiness and righteousness of God. Rather,  they are the product of men who have lost understanding of the glory, majesty, and holiness of the God they claim to serve.</div> <bR> <div> Because the actions of this nation’s leaders are extremely important in determining the future of this nation and Yahweh’s judgments upon her sins, and because so many ministers are falsely heralding these current actions as signs of great spirituality and revival, I will include the whole transcript here of the announcement of the day of reconciliation as it was proclaimed by Congressman DeLay. I will also include the text of the actual resolution which has been ratified by Congress. This transcript is from CBN’s website, and the resolution has been taken from <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Georgia" ><A HREF="http://www.congress.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.congress.com"><U><U>http://www.congress.com</U></U></A></FONT> .</div> <bR> <div> CBN.com _ WASHINGTON, DC __ House Majority Whip Tom DeLay (R_TX) delivered the following statement on the House floor yesterday in support of HCR 184, providing for a National Day of Reconciliation. The bipartisan resolution passed the House of Representatives on Tuesday. </div> <bR> <div> "We have seldom seen a time in which it would have been more fitting than the present moment for America's leaders to come together as a unified body before God and demonstrate that we seek grace, guidance, wisdom, and reconciliation for our nation.</div> <bR> <div> "In the work ahead, the old labels and divisions over which we have quarreled must be set aside to accomplish the larger purpose to which we are called as a nation. We believe that this resolution has the capacity to draw us together and to cultivate the meaning, direction, and inspiration needed to achieve our special potential in the destiny of nations.</div> <bR> <div> "I have from time to time disagreed vigorously with my colleagues across the aisle. We have had honest disagreements and crossed swords over both practical and philosophical points. But I speak from my heart when I say that my firmest friends and most committed adversaries can all join me in supporting this initiative because it is solely designed to advance the nation toward a goal all of us share.</div> <div>  </div> <div> "Every Member should approach this resolution with fresh and open eyes. This resolution is without any partisan aspect, motivation or effect. Its aim is the betterment of every American as our country draws closer to the high aspirations our Founders outlined for us.</div> <bR> <div> "It was specifically drafted to include everyone and to exclude no one. The National Day of Reconciliation acknowledges that we are all equal before God and, consequently, it is tailored to accommodate the specific faiths of every Member. It is ecumenical in substance and universal in its aspiration. Everyone can confidently embrace the spirit and purpose of reconciliation we advance with this proposal. We make way for all faiths.</div> <bR> <div> "Our goal is to have every Member join us in seeking reconciliation. Our victory is to see every Member and Senator taking part in keeping and practice with their own personal faith, judgment, and beliefs. Our fondest wish is for every elected representative to gather and petition God for His blessings, stewardship, and forgiveness. We want to approach Him to reconcile our country.</div> <bR> <div> "And while all are welcome and encouraged to take part, no one is obliged, under this resolution, to do anything at all. The National Day of Reconciliation compels no action of any kind. Participation is entirely voluntary. Let me reiterate that point to dispel any misguided concerns: Members can support this resolution with the certain knowledge that it places no obligations on anyone.</div> <bR> <div> "All it will do is to permit Members and Senators to come together voluntarily in private fellowship within the House Chamber to seek repentance and reconciliation for our nation. What we seek is an open climate of communal prayer and repentance.</div> <bR> <div> "So many of us have gathered meaning and direction for our own lives through the power of prayer. Both Houses of Congress acknowledge this by beginning each legislative day with an invocation. We started work on this resolution many months ago. We were looking for a way to reconcile our country. Recent events have only deepened our conviction that reconciliation is needed and necessary. In the wake of September 11, the imperative underlying a Day of Reconciliation takes on a heightened sense of urgency and weight.</div> <bR> <div> "In the past, the American governments have responded to periods of danger and uncertainty by seeking God's blessing and forgiveness.</div> <bR> <div> "One of our greatest presidents healed a horrible national wound by leading us toward the pathway to reconciliation. He explained that, by embracing our founding principles and seeking God's blessings, our nation could overcome a great crisis. Abraham Lincoln held the nation to account in 1863 as he urged Americans to reflect on all we had inherited and what was expected of us:</div> <bR> <div> "We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven. We have been preserved, these many years, in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power, as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. </div> <bR> <div> "We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own.</div> <bR> <div> "Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and reserving grace, too proud to pray to the God thus!</div> <bR> <div> "It behooves us, then to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins and pray for clemency and forgiveness. If we want America to be united under the fellowship of reconciliation, we must humble ourselves before God and ask to be healed and brought together.</div> <bR> <div> "We have heard suggestions that other spaces within the Capitol would be a more fitting and appropriate venue than the House Chamber. I couldn't disagree more strongly. Let me explain why.</div> <bR> <div> "Our House Chamber is the symbolic heart of American democracy. It is here that we do our work. It is here that decisions bearing heavily on our destiny are decided. It is here that all three branches of our government assemble during moments of great national gravity.</div> <bR> <div> "From here, Presidents speak to America. And in here we can come together to demonstrate to the country that America's leaders have the strength, compassion, and courage to seek guidance and forgiveness. We shouldn't be afraid to admit that America's work requires God's interest, assistance, and guidance.</div> <bR> <div> "Our purpose in introducing this resolution is threefold. We believe that by setting aside a day for the leaders of the nation to come together in prayer we will enhance our unity, send a powerful petition for guidance and wisdom, and by humbly gathering, send a strong message to the American people that their leaders earnestly wish to bring about a national reconciliation so that we can go forward as a united people.</div> <bR> <div> "Members should also know that this resolution raises no constitutional barriers. It has been vetted thoroughly and poses no challenges to law.</div> <bR> <div> "To alleviate another concern, Members should know that we intend the entire scope of the Day of Reconciliation to occur without broadcast. Members should have no fear that this format could breach their privacy. Privacy in worship will be respected by this gathering because it will not be recorded. It is a chance for America's leaders to approach God.</div> <bR> <div> "We know we have all fallen short of our potential. We know that our nation has also failed to achieve all that it could. Members can take a firm step toward realizing those twin objectives by supporting this resolution.</div> <bR> <div> "Remember, all we ask is that willing Members be permitted to gather "to humbly seek the blessings of Providence for forgiveness, reconciliation, unity, and charity for all people of the United States, thereby assisting the Nation to realize its potential as the champion of hope, the vindicator of the defenseless, and the guardian of freedom."</div> <bR> <div> "A National Day of Reconciliation will be good for each of us as elected officials and men and women, but it will be even better for America. It's time to come together. And I believe this resolution will be an immeasurable help in solidifying our country."</div> <bR> <div> Pending Bill: Providing for a National Day of Reconciliation</div> <div> October 19, 2001</div> <div> CBN.com - HCON 184 IH</div> <div> [end transcript]</div> <bR> <div> [Congressional Resolution]</div> <div> 107th CONGRESS</div> <div> 1st Session</div> <div> H. CON. RES. 184</div> <div> Providing for a National Day of Reconciliation. </div> <div> IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES</div> <div> July 10, 2001</div> <div> Mr. DELAY (for himself, Mr. HALL of Ohio, Mr. LEWIS of Georgia, Mr. WOLF, Mr. BLUNT, Mr. BISHOP, Mr. SOUDER, Mr. TURNER, Mr. SHOWS, Mr. PITTS, Mr. PETERSON of Minnesota, Mr. HOSTETTLER, Mr. TANCREDO, Mr. MCINTYRE, and Mr. PICKERING) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on House Administration </div> <bR> <div> CONCURRENT RESOLUTION</div> <div> Providing for a National Day of Reconciliation. </div> <div> Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That on a day of reconciliation selected jointly by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate, and with the Chaplain of the House of Representatives and the Chaplain of the Senate in attendance–</div> <bR> <div> (1) the two Houses of the Congress shall assemble in the Hall of the House of Representatives; and</div> <bR> <div> (2) during this assembly, the Members of the two Houses may gather to humbly seek the blessings of Providence for forgiveness, reconciliation, unity, and charity for all people of the United States, thereby assisting the Nation to realize its potential as the champion of hope, the vindicator of the defenseless, and the guardian of freedom.</div> <div> [end resolution]</div> <bR> <div> Some in hearing these words have been swept away with a conviction that revival is taking place in our nation. Lest anyone should be deceived into adopting such a mindset, let us examine what is said here with great scrutiny. The heart of the reason that this resolution is an abomination to Yahweh is revealed in these words.</div> <bR> <div> "It was specifically drafted to include everyone and to exclude no one. The National Day of Reconciliation acknowledges that we are all equal before God and, consequently, it is tailored to accommodate the specific faiths of every Member. It is ecumenical in substance and universal in its aspiration. Everyone can confidently embrace the spirit and purpose of reconciliation we advance with this proposal. We make way for all faiths.</div> <bR> <div> "Our goal is to have every Member join us in seeking reconciliation. Our victory is to see every Member and Senator taking part in keeping and practice with their own personal faith, judgment, and beliefs. Our fondest wish is for every elected representative to gather and petition God for His blessings, stewardship, and forgiveness. We want to approach Him to reconcile our country.</div> <bR> <div> In saying that the resolution was drafted to include everyone and exclude no one, the congressman is appearing very generous and he is manifesting the highest virtue of this nation of politically correct citizens, which is tolerance for others and their diversity. However, this diversity includes much perversity, and had the congressman mentioned what specifically he was referring to, the honest saint of God would not have been so easily fooled.</div> <bR> <div> Among the members of Congress there are professing sodomites, and one bill that is currently before the House and Senate is aimed at granting further special rights to those who have chosen this perverse lifestyle. This bill has over 100 co-sponsors from among the House of Representatives, and an equally large percentage of co-sponsors from the Senate. In an interesting note, the congressional website listed that the last date of activity on this bill regarding homosexual rights was on September 10th, the day before the World Trade Center and Pentagon disasters. </div> <bR> <div> Those who are proponents of this day of reconciliation have been extremely careful to not offend any segment of society, including those practicing sodomy. In fact, the members of the Congress and Senate who are pushing forth this bill offering greater protection to those involved in perverse lifestyles are encouraged to come and participate in the day of reconciliation. In the Old Testament we are given this praiseworthy mention of one of the more godly kings of Judah. When the Chronicler of his life was inspired to record the noteworthy actions of his rule, he included this remark.</div> <bR> <div> I Kings 22:45-46</div> <div> 45     Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, and his might which he showed and how he warred, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah?</div> <div> 46     And the remnant of the sodomites who remained in the days of his father Asa, he expelled from the land.</div> <bR> <div> This king was praised for expelling all of those who practiced this perversion from the land of Judah. Little wonder when one considers that not far from Jerusalem is the Dead Sea and at one end of the sea is found the ruins of Sodom and Gomorrah which were destroyed by God in part due to their participation in this form of debauchery. Yet our nation’s leaders consider themselves more enlightened today, and they have accepted that men lying with men and women with women is just a natural choice, and some are born this way, and we are not to judge such ones. Rather we are to offer them protection and we are to make sure that no one in this nation should place any hindrance or obstruction in the way of any who should choose to live such a life within the borders of this nation. This nation has designed itself to be a safe haven for those who would practice homosexuality, and we teach others from the very highest levels of government all the way down to the public school systems that there is nothing wrong with such a lifestyle, and others are encouraged to consider whether they should choose to walk in this manner as well.</div> <bR> <div> However, Yahweh is not such an “enlightened” thinker, according to man’s perspective. In the New Testament we find these words.</div> <bR> <div> Romans 1:26-28</div> <div> 26     For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural,</div> <div> 27     and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.</div> <div> 28     And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper...</div> <bR> <div> The apostle Paul describes these things as “indecent acts” and he speaks of those who do these things as “receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.” It has become taboo in our nation to suggest that AIDS and other communicable diseases that are rampant among the community of those who live such lives are due to the sin they are involved in. Yet Paul clearly declares that those who live such lives will receive the due penalty of their error in their own bodies or persons. A further judgment of God is that these ones are given over to a depraved mind, a mind that knows not the truth, nor can it discern righteousness from unrighteousness, but which goes from one perversion to another in a desire to fulfill the depraved desires within.</div> <bR> <div> These are some of those whom congressman DeLay has said that he has had “philosophical differences” with, but he is ready to “put away the old labels and divisions over which we have quarreled.” In a spirit of tolerance and ecumenism, he is quite willing to find acceptance and “fellowship” (his word) with those who practice such lifestyles. </div> <bR> <div> Congressman DeLay states that “my firmest friends and most committed adversaries can all join me in supporting this initiative.” Why are the unrighteous able to partake with those who purport to be righteous? Is it not because no true repentance and no true righteousness has yet been exhibited? As I was driving around the town where I live, I was observing the patriotic signs being displayed. I was amazed when I saw the following message adorning the sign of a local stripper’s establishment where women parade themselves around unclothed before men who are seeking to satisfy their carnal lust. The sign said, “We Support President Bush.”</div> <bR> <div> Why can such an immoral establishment proclaim that they support a President that so many are declaring to be the hope of this nation, a man that confesses allegiance to Jesus Christ? It is because this President has yet to take a moral stand in renouncing the sins of this nation. Like congressman DeLay, his actions have been to compromise the truth as was witnessed in his participation in the national prayer service whose opening invocation was made to Allah.</div> <bR> <div> I do indeed hope that President Bush will turn America back to a road of righteousness, but it will not be the road of compromise that he has followed thus far. He must cease listening to the voices of men and begin to heed the voice of God and respond with boldness in leading the nation to repentance and in overturning the protected abominations of our culture. Only then will God be able to bless America, as so many are desiring.</div> <bR> <div> Congressman DeLay’s statement further declares that “we are all equal before God” and “consequently, it [the resolution] is tailored to accommodate the specific faiths of all members.” It is evident that this man who professes to be a Christian does not know the scriptures. The God who said “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated” (Romans 9), the God who created some “as vessels of honor” and others as “vessels of wrath”, does not regard all men equally. This is the God who inspired the following words:</div> <bR> <div> II Corinthians 6:14-17</div> <div> 14     Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?</div> <div> 15     Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?</div> <div> 16     Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.</div> <div> 17     "Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate," says the Lord. "And do not touch what is unclean; and I will welcome you.”</div> <bR> <div> We are not all equal before this God named Yahweh. Yet multitudes of Christians and Americans have constructed a false image of God that has no resemblance to the true image. They have fashioned their own god as surely as did the Israelites in the wilderness who formed the golden calf and worshiped it. This god of man’s imagination winks at sin. This god calls evil good and good evil. This god holds tolerance as the greatest virtue, and this god has abandoned any pretense towards a call to holy and righteous living. This god is simply pleased if we all get along with one another, and if we tolerate one another’s perversions.</div> <bR> <div> There are many false deities worshiped by the members of congress; some worship Allah, some have adopted Eastern religions and their gods, some worship the creation, some worship man, some worship money and power. Congressman DeLay says that all these are equally welcome and will find a place in this declared day of reconciliation. Congressman DeLay states that the goal and victory of this resolution is not any real repentance nor a return to righteousness, there is no judgment of sin or call to repeal ungodly laws, but he states<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Georgia" > </FONT>“Our victory is to see every Member and Senator taking part in keeping and practice with their own personal faith, judgment, and beliefs.”</div> <bR> <div> Those congressmen and Senators whose judgment says that homosexuality is OK are welcome to maintain their judgment. Those who say that murdering unborn children is the constitutional right of every woman, are welcome to maintain their judgment. Whatever the “personal faith, judgment, and belief” held by the Member or Senator, all is accepted and all will be able to fellowship together. And lest any person should be timid about making even such a token, lukewarm, and compromising appearance at this event, Congressman DeLay assures them that there will be no television cameras recording the events and those who should desire to participate.</div> <bR> <div> What boldness this is from those who are supposed to be fearless leaders of the greatest nation on Earth. If such ones truly are following after the true and only God, Yahweh, then they should take heed to His words.</div> <bR> <div> Luke 12:4-5</div> <div> 4     "And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.</div> <div> 5     "But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who after He has killed has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!”</div> <bR> <div> What has been foisted upon the church in this hour is a generic image of god that is acceptable to all people. We have even resorted to using a generic title to refer to this god. The name Yahweh occurs 6,828 times in the Old Testament, yet in all of the popular English translations it has been removed in its every occurrence (see the article “The Usage of Divine Names” at <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Georgia" ><A HREF="http://heart4god.ws" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://heart4god.ws"><U><U>http://heart4god.ws</U></U></A></FONT> ). Instead, the generic titles “God” and “Lord” have been substituted. As we saw at the National Prayer Service, a minister of Allah can use the term “god” and all the Christians in attendance can nod their heads in agreement with prayers to a false deity. </div> <bR> <div> In this resolution before the Congress and the Senate, it is never once mentioned what god is to be invoked, and this has been done deliberately, for those who have sponsored this resolution reason that any god of any faith is as good as another, and all are to be accepted, and all the worshipers of the various gods are to find fellowship together. For this reason whenever deity is mentioned the name of Jesus, Yahshua, Yahweh, the Holy Spirit, etc., are conspicuously absent. Instead the terms God, Providence, and Power have been employed so that every false god worshiped in this nation might be included.</div> <bR> <div> Once again, the leaders of this nation are set to make an offering to Yahweh that, like Cain’s offering, will find no regard with the One true God. America is demonstrating how far she has fallen, and she is revealing her incredible ignorance of what will find acceptance with the God of her forefathers. Congressman DeLay has compared this resolution to President Lincoln’s call for a national day of prayer. But Lincoln knew what God he was praying to, and so did the nation of the time. President Lincoln was more concerned with finding acceptance before God than before man. How we have fallen from the understanding we once had as a nation.</div> <bR> <div> Let me share why what is being offered is not enough to satisfy a holy and righteous God. Throughout the scriptures Yahweh has proclaimed His awesome holiness. We are told that if sinful man were to simply behold His holiness the man would die for no sin can abide in His presence. Every type of sin had to be atoned for, and one of the most grievous types of trespass was to fail to distinguish the difference between the holy and the profane, a distinction that totally eludes the leaders of this nation and its people.</div> <bR> <div> Yahweh so desired to make known the need for absolute purity and no mixing of the holy and the profane that He established many ordinances that revealed in practical ways that mixture was an abomination to Him. The Israelites were forbidden to make garments out of two types of material, for example, they could not mix wool and linen. They were forbidden to marry foreigners, lest they should be drawn to follow after foreign deities. When offering an atonement sacrifice they were to offer an animal without any defect or blemish. It had to be pure. Among the Levites and Priests, no man was permitted to serve in the Temple or Tabernacle if they had any disease, blemish, or defect.</div> <bR> <div> Everything used in service to Yahweh had to be purified and set apart for holy purposes. It could not be defiled in any manner. Even if a man had relations with his wife he had to cleanse himself and allow a period of purification to pass before he could approach the presence of God.</div> <bR> <div> If those who served in a temple made with hands had to undergo such rigorous practices, how then should those sanctify themselves who serve in a temple not made with hands in which the Holy Spirit is resident, which temple we are? As Paul told the Corinthian believers:</div> <bR> <div> II Corinthians 7:1</div> <div> Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.</div> <bR> <div> And again he says,</div> <bR> <div> I Corinthians 3:17</div> <div> If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.</div> <bR> <div> And again,</div> <bR> <div> II Corinthians 6:14-17</div> <div> 14     Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?</div> <div> 15     Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?</div> <div> 16     Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.</div> <div> 17     "Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate," says the Lord. "And do not touch what is unclean; and I will welcome you.”</div> <bR> <div> The church and the people of this nation have lost an understanding of the awesome holiness of God and His righteous character. They have failed to perceive how terrible the holiness of Yahweh can be, so terrible is it that it demanded a perfect sacrifice to redeem fallen man. It required that He give His own Son Yahshua, to redeem us from the curse and to purchase us from the dominion of Satan into which we had all fallen. To see the awesome holiness of God one needs to go and examine once again what transpired on Calvary. The only begotten Son of God suffered the greatest agony as He bore the penalty of sin upon His formerly spotless body of righteousness. “He who knew no sin, became sin on our behalf.”</div> <bR> <div> The holiness of God demanded the ultimate sacrifice. The Father had to damn His own Son that mortal man might be redeemed. The Son had to undergo a separation from the Father that led Him to sweat drops of blood as He wrestled with drinking the bitter cup the Father presented to Him. In His dying moments on a Roman cross, the Son of God cried out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Such was His torture as He became sin and the Father had to turn away from Him.</div> <bR> <div> The Father did not go to half-measures to redeem mankind. He gave the very thing He prized, loved, and cherished the most. As His friend Abraham was willing to do many centuries earlier, He sacrificed His own Son. How terrible are the requirements of holiness. Holiness in its purity is without witness among the fallen remnants of creation. We seek to grasp its meaning, but its fulness eludes us. Consider the following words and their meaning.</div> <bR> <div> Hebrews 10:19-31</div> <div> 19     Since therefore, brethren, we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Yahshua,</div> <div> 20     by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh,</div> <div> 21     and since we have a great priest over the house of God,</div> <div> 22     let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.</div> <div> 23     Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful...</div> <div> 26     For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,</div> <div> 27     but a certain terrifying expectation of judgment, and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries.</div> <div> 28     Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.</div> <div> 29     How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?</div> <div> 30     For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay." And again, "The Lord will judge His people."</div> <div> 31     It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.</div> <bR> <div> Our nation has lost an understanding of Yahweh’s holiness. There is no fear of God before their eyes. The church has embraced a mush god that allows all things, that winks at transgression, that tolerates all manner of wickedness, that is pleased with the most half-hearted, lukewarm, token signs of acknowledgment. The offerings of this nation will continue to find no regard with Yahweh until a fear of God returns, and it is certain now that the fear of God will only return as great judgment is poured out upon mankind.</div> <bR> <div> Isaiah 26:9</div> <div> At night my soul longs for Thee, indeed, my spirit within me seeks Thee diligently; for when the earth experiences Thy judgments the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.</div> <bR> <div> Oh that this nation would come to revere Yahweh according to His great holiness, righteousness, power, and majesty. What will it take to get men to cease from offering that which is detestable unto Him? What will be required until the leaders of this nation begin to perform the things that will find true favor with Him? What will it take until they have the boldness and courage to face down the wicked multitudes that demand that their evil practices be upheld, until abortion and homosexuality, the oppression of the poor, and many other perversions and unrighteous acts are renounced and steps are taken to correct the great evils of the land? What will it take until men are willing to boldly speak the name of Yahweh and His Son Yahshua and to not be ashamed of their association with them and the renouncing of all false deities?</div> <bR> <div> It will certainly cost men personally to make an acceptable offering to God. Some Congressmen and Senators may risk losing their positions as the nation’s leaders. It may cost some in the amount of support they receive from their constituents. It may cost in the way they are viewed by the rest of the world. These are all but small sacrifices compared to the sacrifice of Yahshua who gave His very life to fulfill all righteousness. These are minute sacrifices when compared to that made by the Father who poured out the penalty of all the sins of the world upon His Son.</div> <bR> <div> What has been offered by this nation’s leaders is not enough. The God who gave His beloved Son is not impressed with the offerings made to Him. We need to examine the heart of the King whom Yahweh testified had a heart after Him. When David made an offering to Yahweh to remove the reproach of the nation and take away their sin and judgment we read the following:</div> <bR> <div> II Samuel 24:24-25</div> <div> 24     However, the king said to Araunah, "No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price, for I will not offer burnt offerings to Yahweh my God which cost me nothing." So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.</div> <div> 25     And David built there an altar to Yahweh and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. Thus Yahweh was moved by entreaty for the land, and the plague was held back from Israel.</div> <bR> <div> America and her leaders are making an offering that costs them nothing. They have organized a day of reconciliation that will offend no man and bring no ill consequences to themselves or their careers. This resolution is carefully worded to avoid offending any man, but it offends the God this nation claims to serve. The leaders of America need not even offer their prayers publicly, they can be shielded from the eyes of all the public. The Son of God, however,  was crucified publicly. His shame was open for all to see.</div> <bR> <div> With the sins of this nation having ascended to heaven and her judgment already begun, it is not the time for half-measures. A nation that is still convinced that she will bounce back and that she will escape further calamity has only given token acknowledgment to Yahweh. There is not yet any addressing of the sins that have precipitated the judgment of God. There is not yet any real return to seek the face of God and to do all that He requires. This nation’s leaders are simply posturing and offering symbols of repentance that have no real substance.</div> <bR> <div> What America is offering is not enough, it is not nearly enough.</div> <bR> <div> Selah</div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>