Attack of the Message Bible

[ChosenbyHim]

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By Terry Watkins of Dial The Truth Ministries
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With today’s epidemic of Bible per-versions spreading like a runaway virus, nothing should shock us . . . but buckle up! If you have any spiritual pulse, Eugene Peterson’s The Message will shock you. The Message promotes the mystical New Age message with a boldness never seen in a mainstream Bible. The Message has sold over 10 million copies and has continually ranked among the top five best-selling Bibles. The Message website (NavPress | The best in Bibles, books, and content for discipleship and evangelism) displays endorsements from such prominent Christians as Billy Graham, Chuck Swindoll, Christianity Today, Dan Quayle, Bill Hybels, Gordon Fee, J.I. Packer, Jack Hayford, Jerry Jenkins, Jerry Savelle, John Maxwell, Max Lucado, Richard Foster, Rick Warren, Rod Parsley, Tony Campolo and Warren Wiersbe, among many others.
This article will barely scratch the surface of the mystic New Age religion filling The Message. And this article only examines the New Age mysticism in The Message, we do not examine the treason against the Deity of Jesus Christ, salvation and scores of other fundamental doctrines. Note: We’ll refer to the King James Bible as KJB, the New Age Movement as NAM, and The Message Bible as The Mess.

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[SIZE=+2]º THE MASTER PLAN OF THE MESSAGE º[/SIZE]

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The first blast from The Mess attacks the "Lord."
The "Lord" occurs a whopping 7970 times in the KJB -- more than any other noun. Of the 8,000-plus different words used in the KJB, the "Lord" ranks 14[SUP]th[/SUP] among the most occurrences (number 13 is the single letter "a"). Only helper words such as "the"; "of"; "in"; "to"; et. al. occur more often.
The Mess contains the "Lord" only 71 times! The "Lord" ranks 1087th among words in The Mess. It appears the same number of times as words like "question" or "reputation."

In the New Testament, (ironically, the Testament of the "Lord" Jesus Christ) the "Lord" appears a skimpy 23 times in The Mess. The Mess NEVER directly honors Jesus Christ as Lord. The "Lord Jesus" occurs 118 times in the King James Bible. The "Lord Jesus Christ" occurs 84 times in the King James Bible. The phrase "Lord Jesus Christ" or "Lord Jesus" is not in The Mess! The outright denial of the "Lord" Jesus has never occurred in ANY translation.
Let us clarify something . . . the total amputation of the "Lord Jesus" is no accident. It is not an issue of translation or Greek manuscripts. It is not a matter of updating archaic words or making it easier to understand. It was a deliberate and intentional doctrinal decision to remove the "Lord Jesus."

And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord. . .
John 20:13

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It is interesting that Judas Iscariot never calls Jesus "Lord."
The Bible states 13 times Judas "betrayed" the Lord Jesus; Judas was possessed of Satan (Luke 22:3); Jesus Christ calls Judas "a devil" (John 6:70); Jesus calls Judas the "son of perdition" (John 17:12 – which is also the title of the antichrist in 2 Thess. 2:3). The Bible describes hell as Judas’ "own place" (Acts 1:25).

Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I?. . .
Matthew 26:25, KJB

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Judas always addressed Jesus as "Master" -- never "Lord." Following the footsteps of Judas the "betrayer," the Mess also "betrays" the Lord, always calling Jesus "Master" – never "Lord"!
Another partner in the "Master Jesus" plan is the New Age religion. The root of the New Age Movement (NAM) teaches during various "ages," teachers or guides arise called "Masters." Helena Blavatsky, the guru of the modern-day New Age Movement, wrote extensively of these enlightened "masters." In the 1980’s, the book Hidden Dangers of the Rainbow by Constance Cumbey, exposed the New Age Movement. Mrs. Cumbey defines the mystic new age as:

A vast organizational network today, the New Age Movement received its modern start in 1875 with the founding of the Theosophical Society by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky. . . Strongly propounding the theory of evolution, they also believed in the existence of ‘masters’ who were either spirit beings or fortunate men more highly ‘evolved’ than the common herd. (Cumbey, Constance, Hidden Dangers of the Rainbow, p. 44)​

In his best selling book, A Crash Course on the New Age Movement, author Elliot Miller describes the new age Jesus as:

The New Age Jesus became ‘the Christ’ only after purifying himself of ‘bad karma’ through many incarnations, and even now (as many New Agers believe) he is only one of several ‘masters’. . . (Miller, Elliot. A Crash Course on the New Age Movement, p. 30)​

Second only to Blavatasky in the New Age hierarchy, is Alice Bailey. Author Constance Cumbey says Bailey, ". . . did more than anyone, except perhaps H. P. Blavatsky, to build the foundations for the ‘New Age’." (Cumbey, Constance, Hidden Dangers of the Rainbow, p. 49) In 1922 Alice Bailey formed Lucifer Trust Publishing, which was later renamed to the subtle Lucis Trust Publishing. Bailey wrote extensively on the "Master Jesus." The following quote are but one of the hundreds of references to the New Age "Master Jesus":

"There is a growing and developing belief that Christ is in us, as He was in the Master Jesus. . ."
(Bailey, Alice, The Externalization of the Hierarchy, p. 592)​

New age researchers quickly discover the Jesus of the New Age is not the "Lord" Jesus but "Master" Jesus:

Jesus to the New Age is a man who ascended to be a Master. . .
(Understanding the New Age, Watchman Fellowship Inc.)A basic tenet of the New Age thinking is that of the Master Jesus. . .
(Yungen, Ray. A Time of Departing, p. 112)​

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[SIZE=+2]º MASTER JESUS IN THE MESSAGE º[/SIZE]

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The Mess calls Jesus "Master" over 400 times and the unique New Age phrase "Master Jesus" appears 76 times! The only other Bible I found "Master Jesus" in was the New Age Bible titled The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus Christ!
The following examples (among many) of the "Master Jesus" in The Mess loudly echo the Judas-inspired, New Age doctrine of the "Master Jesus."

As the rocks rained down, Stephen prayed, "Master Jesus, take my life."
Acts 7:59Then some of the men from Cyprus and Cyrene who had come to Antioch started talking to Greeks, giving them the Message of the Master Jesus.
Acts 11:20And what we believe is that the One who raised up the Master Jesus will just as certainly raise us up with you, alive.
2 Corinthians 4:14He who testifies to all these things says it again: "I'm on my way! I'll be there soon!" Yes! Come, Master Jesus! The grace of the Master Jesus be with all of you. Oh, Yes!
Revelation 22:20-21​

The Bible in 1 Corinthians 12:3 warns against spiritual counterfeits such as The Mess that deny Jesus is the "Lord." Notice how the Mess attempts to cover its tracks by perverting the same verse.

Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. 1 Cor. 12:3, KJBFor instance, by using your heads, you know perfectly well that the Spirit of God would never prompt anyone to say "Jesus be damned!" Nor would anyone be inclined to say "Jesus is Master!" without the insight of the Holy Spirit. 1Cor. 12:3, The Mess​

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[SIZE=+2]º THE MASTER GOD º[/SIZE]

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Not content with propagating the NAM "Master Jesus," The Mess continues its "master" plan. The "Lord God" occurs 546 times in the King James Bible. The "Lord God" briefly appears 9 times in the Mess. The Mess replaces the "Lord God" with "Master God." I could not find the "Master God" in any other Bible version.
Again, notice the new age, mystic tone of the "Master God" in the Mess.

Abram said, "Master GOD, how am I to know this, that it will all be mine?"
Genesis 15:8King David went in, took his place before GOD, and prayed: "Who am I, my Master GOD, and what is my family, that you have brought me to this place in life?
2 Samuel 7:18He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" I said, "Master GOD, only you know that."
Ezekiel 37:3​

The Mess travels to "loony land" deleting the "Lord." Rather than correctly translate the "Lord God," The Mess crafts the gobbledygook phrase "God, God." It also deceitfully slips in a comma attempting to justify the goofy Mess.

GOD passed in front of him and called out, "GOD, GOD, a God of mercy and grace, endlessly patient--so much love, so deeply true—
Exodus 34:6Attention, Israel! GOD, our God! GOD the one and only!
Deuteronomy 6:4​

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[SIZE=+2]º THE DIVINE GUARDIANS º[/SIZE]

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The NAM identifies their "Masters" as "divine guardians" and "custodians of the Divine Plan." The New-Age Tara Center describes the "Masters" as "custodians" of the Divine Plane:

The Masters, together forming the Spiritual Hierarchy, are the custodians of the Divine Plan for this planet.
(Basics of Ageless Wisdom, Tara Center, p. 3).​

In Deuteronomy 32:8, the Mess also references these "divine guardians" who "care for the Earth." This is not Bible Christianity. And this is not in the Hebrew text! Notice the complete change from the King James Bible.

When the High God gave the nations their stake, gave them their place on Earth, He put each of the peoples within boundaries under the care of divine guardians.
Deuteronomy 32:8When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.
Deuteronomy 32:8, KJB​

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[SIZE=+2]º “THE ONE” º[/SIZE]

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The New Age Movement revolves around the “One.” Riplinger writes in New Age Versions: "Virtually all exposes on the New Age Movement observe ‘the One’ is this movement’s object of worship." (Riplinger, G.A. New Age Versions, p. 85)
New Age guru H.P. Blavatsky teaches the NAM begins with "the One":

"The esoteric theogony begins with the One. . . "
(Blavatsky, H.P. The Secret Doctrine. Vol. 1, Page 94)"The Secret Doctrine carries this idea into the region of metaphysics and postulates a ‘One Form of Existence’ as the basis and source of all things."
(Blavatsky, H.P. The Secret Doctrine. Vol. 1, Page 46)
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In the following quote Blavatsky states Jehovah and the Serpent [Satan] that tempted Eve both are the "One".

It is curious that Jehovah's name in Hebrew should also be One,. . . Jehovah -- esoterically (as Elohim) -- is also the Serpent or Dragon that tempted Eve. . .
(Blavatsky, H.P. The Secret Doctrine. Vol. 1, Page 73)​

The One theology stems from pantheism. The word Pantheism derives from the Greek words pan meaning "all" and theos meaning "god." Pantheism teaches God is All and All is God or "One". It rejects a personal, loving God, instead defining God as "Presence" or "One."Infoplease defines "pantheism" as "a denial of God's personality and expresses a tendency to identify God and nature." The god Pan appears as a cloven-foot, half-man, half-goat satyr playing the hypnotic "pan pipes." (Ezek. 28:13) Occultist Albert Pike describes Satan as ". . . the mythologic and horned form of the God Pan. . ." (Pike, Morals and Dogma, p. 102) The Satanic Bible (p. 144) also includes Pan in its list of Infernal Names of Satan. Hence, a pan-theist follows Satan.
During a NAM meeting in Boulder, New Age leader Jose Arguelles told his listeners to, ". . . invite "PAN" in, accepting him as the leader and guide for their lives. . . that 'right now Mother Earth is bringing Pan back to save us and lead us into the New Age. We can help by surrendering to him. . ." (www.raidersnewsupdate.com/gaia.htm)
[SIZE=+1]Make no mistake — Pan is the "One" of the New Age religion.
[/SIZE]The New Testament of the King James Bible never refers to God or the Lord Jesus as the impersonal One. Several times Jesus Christ is called the Holy One and the Just One, but never an impersonal, mystic One. The Mess changes the personal pronouns such as he and him (that reference Jesus and God) and personal nouns such as the Father, with the impersonal pantheistic "One" over 102 times in the New Testament! The following verses from The Mess loudly resonant the New Age "One" mantra.

No one has seen the Father except the One who has his Being alongside the Father--and you can see me.
John 6:46As John was finishing up his work, he said, 'Did you think I was the One? No, I'm not the One. But the One you've been waiting for all these years is just around the corner, about to appear. And I'm about to disappear.'
Act 13:25Since the One who saves and those who are saved have a common origin, Jesus doesn't hesitate to treat them as family,
Hebrews 2:11
Every time the Animals gave glory and honor and thanks to the One Seated on the Throne--the age-after-age Living One—
Revelation 4:9
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[ChosenbyHim]

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[SIZE=+2]º ONENESS º[/SIZE]

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Building upon the "One" concept, a distinct code-word among the mystic New Agers is "oneness."

"The root idea of the New Age is oneness, unity and wholeness—the One for all."
(Groothuis, Douglas R. Unmasking the New Age, Illinois: InterVarsity Press 1986, p. 115)"This oneness of life is the crux of the New Age movement."
(Yungen, Ray. A Time of Departing, Lighthouse Trails Publishing, Silverton, 2002 p. 130)​

"Oneness" is an unusual and bizarre word, not appearing in most dictionaries. Only New Agers recognize the "oneness" teaching. Following the mystic New Age "Oneness" script, The Mess says in Ephesians 4:6, "Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness". The word "permeate" means "spread throughout" or "to penetrate". According to The Mess, "Everything you are and think and do is spread throughout with Oneness." Make no mistake about it -- this is heavy-duty New Age doctrine.
The New Age guidebook Metaphysical Primer: A Guide to Understanding Metaphysics gives nearly the exact same principle of the New Age Movement, "Everything is one with everything else. All that is on Earth is an expression of the One Deity and is permeated with Its energies." (Yungen, Ray. A Time of Departing, p. 52)
The Mess doesn’t stop there. It continues to spread the New Age "Oneness."

I in them and you in me. Then they'll be mature in this oneness. . .
John 17:23Because there is one loaf, our many-ness becomes one-ness. . .
1 Corinthians 10:17​

Another "oneness" term the New Age Religion exercises is "interdependence."
Constance Cumbey writes in The Hidden Dangers of the Rainbow, "Another key teaching of this movement is that all things are ‘interconnected’ or ‘interdependent’". (Cumbey, Constance, The Hidden Dangers of the Rainbow, p. 67)
Cult author Dr. Walter Martin, identifies "interdependence" as a New Age "buzz-word" used to "describe the oneness".

Interdependence/Interconnectedness – These words are used by New Agers to describe the oneness and essential unity of everything in the universe.
(Martin, Walter, The New Age Cult, p. 129)​

Like a hypnotized cobra being charmed by the sweet sound of the piper, The Mess serenely dances to the New Age Piper (Ezek. 28:13) while singing the song of interdependence.

Everyone I meet--it matters little whether they're mannered or rude, smart or simple--deepens my sense of interdependence and obligation.
Romans 1:14​

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[SIZE=+2]º THE PRESENCE º[/SIZE]

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Another key New Age teaching surrounds "the Presence." The NAM "Presence" forms a mystic, impersonal pantheist "presence" of God. The following quotes reveal the importance of the "Presence" in the New Age agenda.

Occultism sums up the ‘One Existence’ thus: ‘Deity is an arcane, living (or moving) fire, and the eternal witnesses to this unseen Presence. . ."
(Blavatsy, H.P. The Secret Doctrine, Vol. 1, Page 2)The Christ Self, then, has communication with the Father who in both Principle and Person is the Presence of God, the I AM THAT I AM, or the I AM Presence.
(Elizabeth Clare Prophet, Mysteries of the Holy Grail, p. 217)

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Alice Bailey reveals the "Presence" strikes a blow at the Biblical "transcendent" God or a God that exists apart from nature and man.

This inevitably brings in the concept of the Presence, or of God Immanent and is the result of the needed revolt against the one-sidedness of the belief in God Transcendent."
(Bailey, Alice, The Externalization of the Hierarchy, p. 355)​

The Mess refers to God at least 34 times as the NAM "Presence." Teaching the God of the Bible as a mystic Presence constitutes blatant blasphemy. This can only be defined within a New Age viewpoint. In sharp contrast, remember, the Mess NEVER directly refers to Jesus as Lord. The following verses (of many) echo the NAM mystic "Presence" of the Mess:

No one has ever gone up into the presence of God except the One who came down from that Presence, the Son of Man.
John 3:13I saw a Great White Throne and the One Enthroned. Nothing could stand before or against the Presence, nothing in Heaven, nothing on earth.
Revelation 20:11​

The Mess calls the sacred "shewbread" as the mystic "Bread of the Presence" eight times [Ex. 25:30, 35:13, 39:36, 1 Sam. 21:6, 1 Kings 7:48, 2 Chron. 4:19, 29:18].

Always keep fresh Bread of the Presence on the Table before me. Exodus 25:30
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[SIZE=+2]º THE ENERGY º[/SIZE]

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Energy activates the spiritual "force" of the New Age religion. Prayers, meditations, invocations, and rituals all create energies.

The inflow of this energy has brought many hundreds of people into a new and deeper spiritual realization;. . . Thus is the New Age dawning . . . This is the occult law.
(Bailey, Alice. The Externalization of the Hierarchy, p. 7)Every man should realize that in the use of energy lies direction and the treading of the Path. . . Students should familiarize themselves with the ‘energy concept’ and learn to regard themselves as energy units displaying certain types of energy.
(Bailey, Alice. The Rays and the Initiations, p. 4)​

Alice Bailey references "energy" over 1029 in the Rays and The Initiations. New Age disciple and popular, folk-rocker Tori Amos, defines this New Age energy as Lucifer, while readily confessing her love and worship of Lucifer.

I wanted to marry Lucifer. . . I don’t consider Lucifer an evil force. We can all tap into that free-running current of distorted energy."
Tori Amos, (Francesca Lia Block, "The Volcano Lover", SPIN, March 1996)To visit Father Lucifer, to have a moment to dance... to go down in the dark, to visit with the dude! Not these little ‘Prince of Darkness’ wannabes... some of them are cute, but to visit the real energy force that has held the darkness: you go there with honor. . ."(A bottle of red: Tori Amos, B-Side Magazine, Sandra A. Garcia, May-June 1996)
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The Mess explicitly promotes the NAM mystical "energy." Energy appears 40 times in The Mess. Note: Energy only appears one time in some of the other per-versions. The Mess leaves no doubt concerning its faith in the New Age "energy" force.
In Matthew 5:44 and Luke 6:28, the Mess changes "pray" to "the energies of prayer." Apparently, God no longer answers our prayers, instead, the prayer itself, generates "the energy." The Bible definition of prayer means "to ask." (Matthew 21:22)

When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer for that person.
Luke 6:28
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Mark 5:30 and Luke 16:19 no longer reads "virtue" leaving the Lord Jesus, but "energy discharging" or "surging" from him.

At the same moment, Jesus felt energy discharging from him. He turned around to the crowd and asked, "Who touched my robe?"
Mark 5:30
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The following are a few more (of many) undeniable NAM "energy" doctrine in the Mess:

All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven,
Ephesians 1:20That energy is God's energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure.
Philippians 2:13​

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[SIZE=+2]º THE LIGHT º[/SIZE]

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A casual study of the New Age religion quickly exposes their light-god. A best selling New Age book of the 90’s was Embraced by the Light by Betty Eadie. Light is the cornerstone of NAM.
The popular new age prayer called The Great Invocation by Alice Bailey, (originally published by Lucifer Publishing), begins with the words, "From the point of Light within the Mind of God
Let Light stream forth into the minds of men. Let Light descend on Earth." And it ends with "Let Light and Love and Power restore the Plan on Earth."

Marilyn Ferguson, states in her best-selling New-Age guidebook, The Aquarian Conspiracy:

Always, the vision of evolution toward the light. Light is the oldest and most pervasive metaphor in spiritual experience. We speak of enlightenment, the city of light, the Light of the Word, children of light, the ‘white-light experience’,
(Ferguson, Marilyn. The Aquarian Conspiracy, p. 385)

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The guiding light of NAM is Lucifer, which means "light bearer." Hence, new age disciples proudly label themselves, "light bearers." The Dictionary of Word Origins by John Ayto, under the listing for "Lucifer," simply says "see LIGHT." (p. 329) The definition for "light" then reads ". . . Latin lux ‘light’ which English gets Lucifer, literally ‘light bearer’." (Ayto,John. Dictionary of Word Origins, p. 323) 2 Corinthians 11:14, says, ". . . Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light." In Luke 10:18, Jesus Christ says, ". . . I beheld Satan aslightning . . ."
The following excerpts from New Age material testify of their "light" god:

This Light will irradiate (in a fashion unknown before) not only the Father's House, which is the source of all our planetary light. . This light will now flood the world of men, bringing illumination to men's minds and light into the dark places of human living It is light and - above all else . . ."
(Bailey, Alice. The Reappearance of the Christ, p. 58)To this light the mystics testify, and it is this light into which they enter, and which enters into them, revealing the light which is latent and drawing it forth to potency. "In Thy light shall we see light." This is the outstanding fact of scientific mysticism.God is light. . .
(Bailey, Alice. From Bethlehem to Calvary, p. 153)
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The Mess is flooded with the mystic NAM "light." The Mess adds "light" when light is not in the text. It magically transforms simple "light" into NAM "God-light" or "Life-light." The following verses from The Mess compared with the KJB clearly reveal the NAM "light" agenda.

[TABLE="width: 652"]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 3"]NEW AGE LIGHT FLOODING THE MESSAGE[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]VERSE[/TD]
[TD="width: 40%"]THE MESSAGE BIBLE[/TD]
[TD="width: 40%"]KING JAMES BIBLE[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE="width: 652"]
[TR]
[TD]Psalm 27:1[/TD]
[TD="width: 40%"]Light, space, zest-- that's GOD![/TD]
[TD="width: 40%"]The Lord is my light. . .[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 10%"]John 3:19-21[/TD]
[TD="width: 40%"]God-light[/TD]
[TD="width: 40%"]Light (3 times)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 10%"]Luke 2:32[/TD]
[TD="width: 40%"]God-revealing light[/TD]
[TD="width: 40%"]light[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 10%"]John 1:5, 7, 9[/TD]
[TD="width: 40%"]Life-Light (3 times)[/TD]
[TD="width: 40%"]light[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 10%"]Psalms 36:9[/TD]
[TD="width: 40%"]fountain of cascading light[/TD]
[TD="width: 40%"]fountain of life[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 10%"]Deuteronomy 33:2[/TD]
[TD="width: 40%"]He radiated light[/TD]
[TD="width: 40%"]he shined forth[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 10%"]Matthew 17:15 & Luke 9:34[/TD]
[TD="width: 40%"]a light-radiant cloud[/TD]
[TD="width: 40%"]a bright cloud[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 10%"]Job 24:13[/TD]
[TD="width: 40%"]the light-filled path[/TD]
[TD="width: 40%"]the paths[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 10%"]1 John 1:7[/TD]
[TD="width: 40%"]God himself being the light[/TD]
[TD="width: 40%"]he is in the light[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 10%"]John 12:36[/TD]
[TD="width: 40%"]the light will be within you[/TD]
[TD="width: 40%"]the children of light[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 10%"]Act 26:23[/TD]
[TD="width: 40%"]first rays of God's daylight[/TD]
[TD="width: 40%"]Nothing[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 10%"]Philippians 2:15[/TD]
[TD="width: 40%"]Carry the light-giving Message into the night[/TD]
[TD="width: 40%"]shine as lights in the world[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 10%"]James 1:17[/TD]
[TD="width: 40%"]first rays of God's daylight[/TD]
[TD="width: 40%"]Every good gift. . . cometh down from the Father of lights,[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 10%"]Revelation 2:1[/TD]
[TD="width: 40%"]the golden seven-lights' circle[/TD]
[TD="width: 40%"]seven golden candlesticks[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 10%"]Revelation 2:5[/TD]
[TD="width: 40%"]your light from the golden circle.[/TD]
[TD="width: 40%"]thy candlestick out of his place[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="width: 10%"]Revelation 22:5[/TD]
[TD="width: 40%"]The shining of God, the Master, is all the light anyone needs[/TD]
[TD="width: 40%"]the Lord God giveth them light[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

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[SIZE=+2]º LIGHT-BEARERS º[/SIZE]

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Lucifer literally means "light bearer." And New Agers, who recognize Lucifer as their god, proudly wear the title "light-bearer."

". . . the one in whom the light shines becomes a light-bearer in a dark world."
(Bailey, Alice. The Rays and The Initiations, p. 49)These words carry meaning to all true disciples and present them with an analogous goal which they define to themselves as that of finding the light, appropriating the light, and themselves becoming light-bearers.
(Bailey, Alice. The Rays and The Initiations, p. 143)
​

The Mystic Mess also claims the Luciferian New Age banner, "light-bearer."

If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you?. . .
Matthew 5:15
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Another well-known NAM term is "light-seeds." And again (and again. . .), The Mess preaches NAM agenda.

Light-seeds are planted in the souls of God's people. . .
Psalm 97:11

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[ChosenbyHim]

[SIZE=+2]º THE MYSTIC LOTUS º[/SIZE]

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Anyone familiar with New Age and Eastern mysticism knows the importance of the lotus. H.P. Blavatsky’s The Secret Doctrine contains a chapter titled "The Lotus as a Universal Symbol." The Secret Doctrine, directly mentions the mystic lotus over 80 times. In Alice Bailey’s A Treatise on Cosmic Fire, the lotus carries over 249 references. No symbol is more sacred in the New Age mysticism than the lotus.
Blavatsky describes the "Lotus" god of the New Age.

In chapter lxxxi. of the Ritual (Book of the Dead), called ‘Transformation into the Lotus,’ a head emerging from this flower, the god exclaims: "I am the pure lotus, emerging from the Luminous one [Lucifer]. . . . . I carry the messages of Horus. I am the pure lotus which comes from the Solar Fields. . .
(Blavatsky, H.P. The Secret Doctrine, p. 380)​

The New Age Aquarian Gospel of Jesus, crowns Jesus with the "Lotus wreath."

19) This man, approved by all the master minds of heaven and earth, this man from Galilee, this Jesus, chief of all the sages of the world, we gladly recognize.
20) In recognition of this wisdom that he brings to men, we crown him with the Lotus wreath.
The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ​

The Dictionary of Symbolism states the sacred "lotus blossom" originated from "primordial ooze" and arose to become "the divine creator of the world."

Lotus: In ancient Egypt the lotus blossom is mentioned in the myth of the creation of the world: it originated from primordial ooze, and the divine creator of the world arose from its calyx.
(Biedermann, Hans. Dictionary of Symbolism, pp 212-213)​

The Mess writes the most blasphemous and openly New Age propaganda ever recorded in a mainstream Bible. The Mess transforms the Lord Jesus from the "lily of the valley" to the mystic "lotus blossom from the valley pools."

I'm just a wildflower picked from the plains of Sharon, a lotus blossom from the valley pools. A lotus blossoming in a swamp of weeds-- that's my dear friend among the girls in the village.
Song of Solomon 2:1-2
I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.
Song of Solomon 2:1, KJB
​

Notice the Mess degrades the beautiful "rose of Sharon" to a crude "wildflower picked from the plains of Sharon."
In Micah 7:14, The Mess performs more New Age magick. It transforms "midst of Carmel" into a blatant new age phrase "centered in lotus land."

Shepherd, O GOD, your people with your staff, your dear and precious flock. Uniquely yours in a grove of trees, centered in lotus land. . .
Micah 7:14

​

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[SIZE=+2]º THE GREEN HOPE º[/SIZE]

---

In Romans 15:13, the Mess contains the most bizarre statement ever in a mainstream Bible.

Oh! May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope!
Romans 15:13
​

Who is the "God of green hope"?
The "green hope" originated with the hellish, human sacrificing, Druids. The publication Talks on Freemasonry states, "Green was, with the Druids, a symbol of hope and the virtue of hope with a Freemason illustrates the hope of immortality." (Kenneth Tuckwood,Talks on Freemasonry) The "green hope" mantra is a popular rallying cry in the new age Mother-Earth environmental movement. In NAM "green" signifies Oneness with the Earth, hence the title of William Anderson’s book, Green Man: The Archetype of Our Oneness with the Earth.

". . . the devil appears as ‘the green one’. . ."
(Biedermann, Hans. Dictionary of Symbolism, p. 159)

​

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[SIZE=+2]
º CHANTING º[/SIZE]

---

Chanting occupies a central role in paganism and mysticism. The popular book, Chant and be Happy, featuring former Beatle and Krishna disciple George Harrison states, "By serving GOD through each thought, word, and DEED, and by chanting HIS Holy Names, the devotee quickly develops God-consciousness." Harper’s Encyclopedia of Mystical & Paranormal Experience, defines "chanting" as: "The continuous recitation of a mantra. . . which helps one achieve an altered state of conscious, ecstasy, communion with the divine. . ." (Guiley, Rosemary Ellen. Harper’s Encyclopedia of Mystical & Paranormal Experience, p.92). The word "chant" occurs only one time (Amos 6:5) in the KJB and refers to idolatry. The mystic Mess includes "chant" 9 times. (Jdg 5:11; Psa 35:15; Psa 71:24; Jer 9:10; Jer 51:14; Eze 26:17; Eze 32:16 (3 times); Rev 4:8; Rev 4:10) In Revelation 4, the four and twenty elders (vs 10) and the four beasts (vs 8), before the throne of God, are "chanting."

The Four Animals were winged, each with six wings. They were all eyes, seeing around and within. And they chanted night and day, never taking a break: Holy, holy, holy Is God our Master, Sovereign-Strong, THE WAS, THE IS, THE COMING.
Revelation 4:8​

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[SIZE=+2]º AGE AFTER AGE AFTER AGE º[/SIZE]

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As the name implies, the New Age religion teaches a series of "ages." The Mess promotes the New Age religion with the phrases "age after age" (Rev. 4:9; 4:10; 14:11) and "age after age after age" (Psalm 72:5; Rev. 5:13; 22:5).

Never again will there be any night. No one will need lamplight or sunlight. The shining of God, the Master, is all the light anyone needs. And they will rule with him age after age after age. Revelation 22:5
​

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[SIZE=+2]º AS ABOVE, SO BELOW º[/SIZE]

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A popular New Age, Oneness-Pantheistic, teaching says, "as above, so below." New Age Journal published a book titled As Above, So Below. The Introduction says, "’As above, so below’ means that the two worlds are instantaneously seen to be one when we realize ouressential unity with God. . . . The One and the many, time and eternity are all One." (New Age Journal, So Above, So Below, p. xi)
The Mess quietly transforms the hallowed "Lord’s Prayer" into a New Age "as above, so below" invocation.
In Matthew 6:10, The King James begins with the familiar, "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven."
The mystic Mess reads, "Our Father in heaven, Reveal who you are. Set the world right; Do what's best-- as above, so below."

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[SIZE=+2]º SEX, SEX, AND MORE SEX º[/SIZE]

---

The Bible says inPsalm 119:140, "Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it."
Note. The following verses from The Message include vulgar and offensive language. I recognize the sensitivity of my readers, but The Message is heavily marketed towards the youth by scores of Contemporary Christian Musicians, including CDs of verses from The Message.The only accurate way to expose this filth is to show the verses. Remember this is a "Bible" recommended by tons of prominent Christian leaders!

When the King James Bible describes intimate relationships and immoral behavior there remains a careful wholesome tone in its wording. It doesn’t sugar-coat the sin, but it doesn’t smell with the stench of the world. Contrary to the pure Words of God – the Mess wallows in the sewers of smut. The Mess smells of "sex, sex, and more sex."

. . . Sniffing the wind for the slightest scent of sex. Who could possibly corral her! On the hunt for sex, sex, and more sex-- insatiable, indiscriminate, promiscuous.
Jeremiah 2:24

​

The word "sex" appears 199 times, (remember the "lord" appears only 71 times). The Mess contains enough "sex" to satisfy even Hugh Hefner. There is sexual intercourse (Jdg 21:11); sex goddess (2Ki 21:7); sexual predators (Job 24:15); sexual excesses (Job 36:14); sex shrines (Jer 5:7); sluttish sex (Eze 16:24); sex orgies (Eze 16:26); sexual prowess (Eze 23:21); obsessive sex (Eze 23:49); filthy sex (Eze 24:13); loose sex (Hos 4:2); drunk on sex (Hos 4:12); sex-worship (Hos 4:19); popular sex gods (Hos 11:2); lewd sex-worship (Hos 13:1); sacred sex-and-power centers (Mic 5:14); sexual orgies (Hab 2:15); sexually confused (Rom 1:27); sexual transmission (Rom 9:8); scandalous sex (1Co 5:1); sexually promiscuous (1Co 5:9); sexual sins (1Co 6:18); sexual relations (1Co 7:1); sexual drives (1Co 7:2); sexually tortured life (1Co 7:9); sexual disorder (2Co 12:21); cheap sex (Gal 5:19); sexual obsession (Eph 4:19); casual and illicit sex (Heb 13:4); sexual filth (2Pe 2:7); sexual rack and ruin (Jud 1:7); dirty sex (Jud 1:8); and sex peddlers (Rev 21:8). Note: most of the above phrases occur several times.

The Mess routinely uses crude words such as "genitals," "semen", "slut," and "streetwalking whore."

Saul exploded in anger at Jonathan: "You son of a slut!. . .
1 Samuel 20:30
I'll expose her genitals to the public. . .
Hosea 2:10
. . . Drunk on sex, they can't find their way home. They've replaced their God with their genitals.
Hosea 4:12

"Look around at the hills. Where have you not had sex? You've camped out like hunters stalking deer. You've solicited many lover-gods, Like a streetwalking whore chasing after other gods.
Jeremiah 3:2

. . .. After all, they're involved in this as well as you; if you don't come to terms, they'll be eating their own turds and drinking their own pee right along with you."
2 Kings 18:27

​

Jeremiah 8:13 even quotes a Holy God calling Israel "a slut." Notice the wording of the King James Bible.

GOD's Message: "Ask around. Survey the godless nations. Has anyone heard the likes of this? Virgin Israel has become a slut! Jeremiah 18:13
Therefore thus saith the LORD; Ask ye now among the heathen, who hath heard such things: the virgin of Israel hath done a very horrible thing.
Jeremiah 18:13 King James Bible

​

In Ezekiel 16:24, The Mess spews the most vulgar and crude language ever recorded in a mainstream Bible:

At every major intersection you built your bold brothels and exposed your sluttish sex, spreading your legs for everyone who passed by.
Ezekiel 16:24

​

While "sex, sex, and more sex" floods the Mess, the sodomites disappear. The "men" of Sodom in Genesis 13:13 are now "people of Sodom." The Mess completely pardons the "sodomites," replacing them with the inoffensive and meaningless "sacred prostitutes."

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[SIZE=+2]º CORRUPT COMMUNICATION º[/SIZE]

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The Bible admonishes us to, "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth. . ." (Eph. 4:29) The Mess routinely speaks "corrupt communication" with some curse words in its pages.
"Damn" appears many times in precarious settings.

Go, curse Jacob for me; go, damn Israel." Num 23:7
Break their miserable hearts! Damn their eyes! Lam 3:65
Take care of that damned woman 2 Kings 9:34
I'd rather be damned by God than drink this! 1 Chron. 11:19
We're damned if we do and damned if we don't Jer 8:14
you know perfectly well that the Spirit of God would never prompt anyone to say "Jesus be damned!" 1 Cor. 12:3
​

Nothing seems sacred to the Mess, even descending to using the "G.D." word.

Here is GOD's Message to the prophets, the preachers who lie to my people: "For as long as they're well paid and well fed, the prophets preach, 'Isn't life wonderful! Peace to all!' But if you don't pay up and jump on their bandwagon, their 'God bless you' turns into 'God damn you.'
Micah 3:5

​

Notice how different the words of God's tender compassion found in the King James Bible in Micah 3:5:

Thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him. Micah 3:5, KJB

​

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[SIZE=+2]º HELL-RAISERS, HELLHOUNDS and HELLHOLES º[/SIZE]

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Like this "present evil world," The Mess enjoys perverting and redefining the word "hell."

a gang of local hell-raisers all Judg 19:22
hell-raisers Judg 20:13
you hellhound! 2 Sam. 16:7
a fool hellbent on folly. Pro 17:12
rebels to rot in hell. Psa 68:6
I'm camped on the edge of hell. Psa 88:3
"Let's go out and raise some hell. Pro 1:11
We've been to hell and back. Lam 3:47
hellholes. Zep 1:9
hellbent on destruction, 1 Cor. 1:18
"To hell with your money! Act 8:20
And then all hell broke loose Rom 1:29
​

And there’s a lot more filth in The Mess. . . This tract contains just a small drop in the mystic and malignant poison infecting the Mystic Message. I’m reminded of Ronald Reagan’s eloquent critique of the Good News Bible during his famous radio address on September 6. 1977. Comparing the Good New Bible to the King James Bible, President Reagan closed with these insightful words:

[TABLE="width: 652"]
[TR]
[TD="align: left"]“The sponsors of the Good News version boast that their Bible is as readable as the daily paper – and so it is. But do readers of the daily news find themselves moved to wonder, "at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth"? Mr. Hanser [author of The Law and The Prophets] suggests that sadly the "tinkering & general horsing around with the sacred texts will no doubt continue" as pious drudges try to get it right.It will not dawn on them that it has already been gotten right.

This is Ronald Reagan. Thanks for listening.​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

 

[Angela53510]

Well, that was an awesome attack of the Message, ChosenByHim!

There are actually a lot of phrases I wonder about, like "God-of-the-angel-armies." That one always throws me off.

I actually find it odd there are so many New Age words in the Message. Eugene Peterson is a Presbyterian pastor, Reformed, and I have read some of his other books and they are really informative and helpful.

The other thing that surprises me is the use of "vulgar" language. I did look up the verses in context, and I can see why he would say certain things.

1 Sam. 20:30
"Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said to him, “You son of a perverse, rebellious woman, do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame, and to the shame of your mother's nakedness?"

This young generation probably has no idea what "the shame of your mother's nakedness" means. But "slut" is something they can relate to. However, the KJV "unto the confusion of thy mother's nakedness?" is just incomprehensible, and really needs to be translated to something understandable.

The Message is a paraphrase, and it is directed at young people, especially with poor reading skills. As I said, if it gets them reading the Bible and serving God, because of its hip and modern language, then it is a good thing. If it somehow drives people to the New Age Movement, that would really be bad!

I am going to reserve judgment on this issue, but I do appreciate you posting this! It is food for thought!

 

[ChosenbyHim]

Well, that was an awesome attack of the Message, ChosenByHim!

Well thank you Angela. Of course brother Terry Watkins did the main work and study though.

1 Sam. 20:30
"Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said to him, “You son of a perverse, rebellious woman, do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame, and to the shame of your mother's nakedness?"

This young generation probably has no idea what "the shame of your mother's nakedness" means. But "slut" is something they can relate to. However, the KJV "unto the confusion of thy mother's nakedness?" is just incomprehensible, and really needs to be translated to something understandable.

with sometime in the Book and some study, they could learn what that phrase means though Angela. We are commanded to study. See 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV.

The Message is a paraphrase, and it is directed at young people, especially with poor reading skills. As I said, if it gets them reading the Bible and serving God, because of its hip and modern language, then it is a good thing. If it somehow drives people to the New Age Movement, that would really be bad!

I am going to reserve judgment on this issue, but I do appreciate you posting this! It is food for thought!

The message is a commentary in addition to a paraphrase. And I hope that young people who are reading the corrupt message bible will leave it and get a real Bible, the King James Bible, and start reading and studying it. And that they would serve God Almighty with the little time we have left on this earth.

 

[RachelBibleStudent]

the message is a mess...

first the numerous and apparently deliberate eastern mystical and western new age references in the message are just plain disturbing...

secondly i don't know what peterson's theology actually is...but many of his renderings of the classic biblical passages on basic theology read like they could have been written by john shelby spong or some other ultra liberal postmodern 'christian'...

and finally the message's attempt at 'contemporary' language usually just comes off similar to when you were a teenager and your parents tried to sound 'cool' without realizing they were really just being embarrassing...

 

[Atwood]

Too many versions AARRGGGHHHH!!!


View attachment 85517

Thanks for the chart, CrossNote.

Think of each one as a new commentary.
I see them as part of the wheat & tares thing.
We see the flourishing of Bible study and Christian music in the USA
along side the flourishing of moral degeneration.
We may be like the band on the deck of the Titanic!
The iceberg seems to have struck.
Maybe a helicopter will appear for some of us!

 

[Timeline]

For some people the bible cannot speak to them for they see it only through their own prejudices, never giving up self to put on Christ. As am example, atheist read the same bible we do without seeing. People who decide the Old Testament scripture is from a different God read all of scripture differently than those who see God in all scripture.

If Jesus didn't fulfill the law and free us from it, then you would be right. But as it is, IT WAS GOD'S PLAN THE WHOLE TIME!!! God showed us the unobtainable blessing, because of the weakness of the flesh, then HE provided the PERFECT Sacrifice that not only saved present people who lived by faith and future be people who would live by faith, but also those who lived by faith IN THE PAST.

But if I am wrong, then you may be right.

Ecc. 12:13
The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. [SUP]14 [/SUP]For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.

Acts 13:38-41
[SUP]38 [/SUP]Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, [SUP]39 [/SUP]and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses. [SUP]40 [/SUP]Therefore take heed, so that the thing spoken of in the Prophets may not come upon you:[SUP]41 [/SUP]‘Behold, you scoffers, and marvel, and perish;
For I am accomplishing a work in your days,
A work which you will never believe, though someone should describe it to you.’”


Matthew 22:40
On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”


Of course, the possibility remains that we are both wrong, in one way or another.

 

[Nick01]

Chosenbyhim, give that guy a prize!

If the Message and NIV threads beat the KJV thread for number of pages, what happens then? Do we all become Message-Onlyists? Can we have a secret handshake, or little hats, or something?

I mean, I reckon it's got God's word down pat. Check this out:

"When Jesus finished telling these stories, he left there, returned to his hometown, and gave a lecture in the meetinghouse. He made a real hit, impressing everyone. “We had no idea he was this good!” they said. “How did he get so wise, get such ability?” But in the next breath they were cutting him down: “We’ve known him since he was a kid; he’s the carpenter’s son. We know his mother, Mary. We know his brothers James and Joseph, Simon and Judas. All his sisters live here. Who does he think he is?” They got their noses all out of joint."

Isn't that just adorable!

 

[JaumeJ]

The version of the Word usually makes no difference to the faithful. Trust God, Yahweh, pray, read and meditate.

You will not find one version of the Word that is perfect, not one.

In my study and reading of the Word in Hebrew I have discovered there are words that are translated, but the actual meanings are not proven.

Rely on the One who is drawing you to our Lord, Yeshua.

 

[Timeline]

Chosenbyhim, give that guy a prize!

If the Message and NIV threads beat the KJV thread for number of pages, what happens then? Do we all become Message-Onlyists? Can we have a secret handshake, or little hats, or something?

I mean, I reckon it's got God's word down pat. Check this out:

"When Jesus finished telling these stories, he left there, returned to his hometown, and gave a lecture in the meetinghouse. He made a real hit, impressing everyone. “We had no idea he was this good!” they said. “How did he get so wise, get such ability?” But in the next breath they were cutting him down: “We’ve known him since he was a kid; he’s the carpenter’s son. We know his mother, Mary. We know his brothers James and Joseph, Simon and Judas. All his sisters live here. Who does he think he is?” They got their noses all out of joint."

Isn't that just adorable!

how about rain bow ties

 

[Elin]

For some people the bible cannot speak to them for they see it only through their own prejudices, never giving up self to put on Christ. As am example, atheist read the same bible we do without seeing. People who decide the
Old Testament scripture is from a different God read all of scripture differently than those who see God in all scripture.

Don't know any NT believers who believe we have two Gods.
Do you know any?

 

[Elin]

Every bit of scripture is "off track" if it is read incorrectly.

No, ma'am. . .the Scriptural text is never off track, it is only the person who is off track.

But here in this case, the Scriptural text is off track.

That is very serious.

The NT is not just a story book whose language can be relativized
into just any form one can come up with.

It contains serious. . .deep. . .difficult doctrine
given in spiritual words from the Holy Spirit himself (1Co 2:13; 1Th 2:13).

This is not a matter to be taken lightly.

 

[vic1980]

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[SIZE=+2]º HELL-RAISERS, HELLHOUNDS and HELLHOLES º[/SIZE]

---

Like this "present evil world," The Mess enjoys perverting and redefining the word "hell."

a gang of local hell-raisers all Judg 19:22
hell-raisers Judg 20:13
you hellhound! 2 Sam. 16:7
a fool hellbent on folly. Pro 17:12
rebels to rot in hell. Psa 68:6
I'm camped on the edge of hell. Psa 88:3
"Let's go out and raise some hell. Pro 1:11
We've been to hell and back. Lam 3:47
hellholes. Zep 1:9
hellbent on destruction, 1 Cor. 1:18
"To hell with your money! Act 8:20
And then all hell broke loose Rom 1:29
​

And there’s a lot more filth in The Mess. . . This tract contains just a small drop in the mystic and malignant poison infecting the Mystic Message. I’m reminded of Ronald Reagan’s eloquent critique of the Good News Bible during his famous radio address on September 6. 1977. Comparing the Good New Bible to the King James Bible, President Reagan closed with these insightful words:

[TABLE="width: 652"]
[TR]
[TD="align: left"]
“The sponsors of the Good News version boast that their Bible is as readable as the daily paper – and so it is. But do readers of the daily news find themselves moved to wonder, "at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth"? Mr. Hanser [author of The Law and The Prophets] suggests that sadly the "tinkering & general horsing around with the sacred texts will no doubt continue" as pious drudges try to get it right.It will not dawn on them that it has already been gotten right.

This is Ronald Reagan. Thanks for listening.​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Thx ChosenByHim or all this info

God Bless