DOUBTING THOMAS

Matthew 13 - 41-42

The Son of Man will send forth his angels,

and they will gather out of His kingdom

all things that offend, and them which do iniquity,

and shall cast them into a furnace of fire:

there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

KJV

A few years ago I attended an evening service at a local evangelical church.  The elderly man speaking that particular evening told the congregation "very few christians actually believe in the devil".   

There was a deadly silence, I didn't hear one "amen" or "that's right" the usual familiar sound of approval or agreement.   On leaving the church I expressed my appreciation as it could not have been an easy message, nevertheless he was right, few people believe in hell, Satan or his little helpers.

Perhaps reading the Screwtape letters by C.S. Lewis and "Screwtape proposes a toast" at the banquet held in the Tempter's Training College might just highlight the antics and manipulation experienced by christians and unbelievers alike.

This is a work of fiction yet one can readily picture the scene in the banquet hall and imagine the squeals of approval at the sight of Peter Tatchell's face flushed with pride at the culmination of his vision now flashed on the college media service to the eagerly awaiting audience.

It is so incredibly easy to corrupt minds who doubt the existence of anything they can't touch and feel, who are illiterate and easily led by the sirens of this world.  Slowly but surely the commandments are eroded but the message they will believe is "when you are dead that's it" or as the bill poster read outside one local church "if you think life is full of surprises, wait till you die" which is surely more appropriate.

The trainee devils are informed eventually they won't have to worry about tempting the individual.    Catch the ring leader and the rest will follow.   This book was first published in 1942 and it is an excellent example of what can be achieved when you don't believe in accountability to any higher being other than yourself.   

If ever a book reminded the Christian of his need for armour against the attacks of his adversary this is it.   In a time when scripture is twisted the closing sentence at the celebration banquet is so very true.

I would be in breach of copyright if I actually printed this.   Please read the book.   Yet at the time it was written I doubt even the brilliant C.S. Lewis would have realised how worthy of hell the church in the U.K. has become.  Hell, the devil and sin have all been neatly eliminated.

Psalm 1 - 1

Blessed is the man 

Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly.

Psalm 1 - 2

But his delight is in the law of the Lord.

Matthew 13 - 43

Then the righteous shall shine forth as the sun in the Kingdom of their Father.

HE WHO HATH EARS TO HEAR, LET HIM HEAR.

BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART, FOR THEY SHALL SEE GOD.

Shalom