What is Reality, Part 1...Reality as Matrix Illusion

By Reverend Mark Hunnemann

What is reality…what is really real? If one is serious about defending their faith, then they need to wrestle with this issue. Though there are innumerable variations in the answers to this question, they can all be subsumed under one of these four answers. Reality is:

1.    An illusion
2.    Self-created
3.    Self-existent and eternal
4.    Created by self-existent, eternal God

How do we explain the world that we experience and perceive on a moment by moment basis? In this blog we’ll consider the explanation that the world is an illusion.

My presupposition is that the Triune God exists and has spoken to us in His Word. Hence, intellectual autonomy is foolish, self-destructive, and leads to irrationality. Intellectual autonomy is the view that people have the right to examine and define God’s world/reality without being subject to God’s revelation. How can anyone imagine that ignoring the Master of created reality could be a wise decision? It only leads to profoundly unreal views of reality.

In Proverbs 1:7 (the organizing principle of Proverbs) we are told that we must fear the Lord (loving reverence)if we are to be able to attain a correct understanding of God’s reality/world. Lack of this fear will lead to folly and unreality. Knowledge and wisdom are closely related but there is a distinction: knowledge is a correct understanding of the nature of the world (reality) and our relationship to it and God as creatures of the great King. Wisdom is the acquired knowledge of how to live in God’s world in a way that is pleasing to Him, and that includes right thinking. A teachable heart before Yahweh as the only God is the key to growing in both knowledge and wisdom.

In the Matrix movies, especially the first two, an obvious theme is that of illusion and reality. This is not a movie review, so I’m not going into detail regarding it but only mention it because it was enormously popular and borrowed themes that have become popular in recent days.

Neo discovers he is living in an illusory world, and it raises important questions: is what we perceive really an illusion? Can we trust our perceptions?

It seems that the movie series borrowed heavily from Gnostic, Hindu, Buddhist, and Neo-New Age ideas which have become ensconced in our culture. There are variations in their conception of reality being illusory but the main theme is that mankind has become ignorant of our true condition. We have become ignorant of our inner divinity, and the goal is not salvation but enlightenment. At the risk of over-simplification (because each of the religions mentioned above has a different idea of how this illusion started and the specifics of the illusion) each one does see life, in some sense, as an illusion.

Let’s not miss the forest for the trees: the consistent theme between all the worldviews mentioned above is the denial of the distinction between the transcendent Creator God and His creation. Instead, in one form or another, they affirm that whatever divinity exists is entirely immanent—coextensive with the universe…to the extent that it really exists. Again, the variations are so mind-boggling that it’s difficult to know where to start. So, let me quote from Walter Martin:

“Illusion or Maya….The material world to monists and pantheists is not real in the sense that it is a lower form or low vibration of the Higher Existence (God) or the Highest Vibration (Spirit). If all is God or all is One, then what we think is reality is said to be an illusion of Spirit; it is a slow vibration of the same substance which then takes on the illusionary (solid form). If we speed it up, it would disappear as spirit.” (W Martin, The Kingdom of the Occult, pg 210).

Some go so far as solipsism which is the view that only my mind is real and all else is a dream or illusion. One problem with this “game” (and I don’t know anybody who seriously believes this view) is how you express this view to another ‘person’? You HAVE to assume another person/mind exists outside your own. Forgive the crudity, but when I first heard this argument as an 18 year old philosophy major, I thought to myself: “Well, a good swift kick to the shin would show the utter stupidity of that game!” I stick by my initial, crude reply…it doesn’t pass the existential test—what we know intuitively about reality.

So, how does a Christian respond?

1. First, with Jeremiah (ch 9:1) we should weep for our generation that has become so lost that it has become unhinged from reality as a result of jettisoning God; they deny the very reality in which they live. What a horrible mess our quest for autonomy has brought about.

2. If one states that all reality is an illusion, then that assertion is itself an illusion, and therefore not true.

But what does a biblical worldview say about reality being an illusion?.God does not have to have “His papers stamped” by us, so I humbly presuppose that the Triune God exists and has spoken true truth to us about Himself and HIS reality. There’s plenty of evidence to support Christianity, but that’s beyond the scope of this blog.

3. Genesis 1:31 is God’s perspective on His material creation. Despite the invasion of sin later (ch.3) the creation retains its goodness (1 Timothy 4:4)and reveals God’s attributes Romans 1:18ff). This verse states that God looked at ALL he had created and declared it “very good”…there is a sense of wonderment and delight in all that God had created…physical and spiritual. Space and time was created first and then the rest of universe, with the earth as His temple. So, you have an objective reality being created in the finite past, AND God rejoicing in His objective creation. Lastly, and perhaps most significantly, God is transcendent: the Creator is distinct from His creation. Distorted views of reality begin by confusing this crucial distinction—creator and creation become co-extensive, and the fundamental duality (not dualism) at the heart of reality is lost. In the biblical view there is God, and everything else…the universe. In the biblical view, God is both transcendent and immanent—the Holy Spirit and supremely in Jesus Christ.

In many Neo-New Age ideas, there is a primacy of the spiritual; in some sense it is more real…or the material is altogether illusory.That view is on a collision course with the Genesis account of the creation of reality. Even some Christians view the spiritual realm as more important, but that’s not the biblical view.

As C.S. Lewis said: “God must love matter because He made so much of it!” How true!

4. In a biblical worldview, the spiritual and material realms are both real and neither is more important, nor is either an illusion. The notion of the world as an illusion is utterly foreign to the Hebraic mindset and a biblical worldview. Moses was acutely aware of pagan distorted notions of reality and this creation account is utterly unique in the ancient world in its view of objective reality in relation to the transcendent God. Moses was educated in the myths and magick of ancient Egypt, and it was into this cultural setting which was steeped in paganism, polytheism, pantheism, ect that Genesis was written; to refute these demonic delusions and illusionary thought. Moses self-consciously wrote Genesis to show that the only Living God created all things and to clear up distorted views of reality.

 5. Genesis 1-2 God presents the material world as objectively real, independent of our senses. What we see IS real because it was created by God, the author of all life. It certainly was not created by an inferior or even evil god. The first three chapters of Genesis provide the fundamental presuppositions of reality which the rest of the bible rests upon. So, it is no wonder that Jesus and Paul refer back to these chapters in dealing with controversies of their day, providing us with a model for dong the same.

6. The notion of the world being illusory undercuts the scientific enterprise. In Genesis 1:28 we are given the cultural mandate to have dominion as God’s image-bearers. We are to lovingly take care of God’s good creation and explore it. AN Whitehead and Oppenheimer, neither of whom were Christians, said that modern science could have only started in a biblical worldview/milieu because it assumes that a reasonable God created a reasonable universe which can be discovered by our reason. The notion of the world as an illusion, could never have given birth to modern science.

7. The entire drama of redemption was enacted in space and time on the earth. To assert that the material realm is an illusion is to imply that the cross of Christ was an illusion as well. Certainly that is a doctrine of demons.

8. Prophesied in Isaiah 65 and re-stated in Revelation 21-22, heaven will be here on a renewed earth. Hence, we see the eternality of the material realm is central to God’s plans for eternal glory. In Romans 8 the physical realm groans for freedom now, and since Jesus’ death was cosmic in scope, when He comes back the entire physical cosmos will be freed from the ravages of sin. Heaven is not an illusion—it is the dwelling place of God. And we shall see Him face to face forever here on this renewed earth. Praise God!

9. Basic reliability of sense perceptions:

I made the earth and created man on it;

it was my hands that stretched out the heavens,

and I commanded all their host.

For thus says the Lord,

who created the heavens

(he is God!),

who formed the earth and made it

(he established it;

he did not create it empty,

he formed it to be inhabited!):

“I am the Lord, and there is no other. (Isaiah 45:12, 18)

Notice the train of thought in this text. First and foremost it is God-saturated! He states over and over that He is the One who created reality. We must perceive His creation through His eyes. There is an affirmation of the Genesis account of Yahweh as the Creator of the objective heavens and earth…which existed before any human perception of it—God’s perception is primary! Second, God states that He created this world so that it would be habitable and inhabited; especially by mankind who alone are made in His image. If God created the world specifically to be inhabited then that has enormous ramifications.

Yes, the world is fallen and full of sorrow and suffering, but the answer is not to deny the reality of reality or suffering, but to see it and weep, and seek to alleviate its effects.

From the outset, God created the world to be inhabited by all sorts of creatures but primarily by His image bearers. And as such He gave us our sense perceptions in order to function and relate to the world and to each other.

Are our senses reliable? If you place an oar in the water, it appears different than it is, but that is due to an optical illusion, and not an illusion at the heart of reality or a denial of what I call: THE BASIC RELIABILITY OF THE SENSE PERCEPTIONS.

Immanuel Kant asserted that we could only see the phenomena but not the real thing in itself (noumena) In other words, we can’t trust our sense perceptions to give us an accurate understanding of reality itself. How sad, but that is what happens in autonomous thinking—it leads to irrationality and unreality.

However, He who made the world and sees it, also made our eyes and all the five senses in order to function fruitfully in His world. And He also made the categories of our finite brains to correspond to external reality. Is that not what you expect God to do if He created us to live fruitfully on this earth? What we see with our eyes, and our brains process, does correspond to reality external to us. Why? Because God created the world to be inhabited.. Hence, He gave us the necessary tools to inhabit it fruitfully and to carry out the cultural mandate in Genesis. So, for Christians, there simply is no problem with whether we can trust our perceptions of reality. When God brought the various animals before Adam in order to name them, the assumption is that Adam saw God’s creation clearly and accurately enough to be able to taxonomize it. In order to till the garden and enjoy its beauty, then all five senses had to be functional.

God made our senses and so we can joyfully affirm and know that we can trust the basic reliability of the sense perceptions. God created them, so any notion of their unreliability would be impious. The same God who made all of reality, also made His image bearers to be able to accurately perceive and categorize external reality.

However, if we are random products of evolution, then all we are is matter/energy in motion, and our skulls filled with brain gas, leaving us with no basis to trust either our thoughts or our perceptions of the world. How can we know, in the macro-evolutionary scheme, that external reality conforms to our perceptions of it? We couldn’t.

Dear friends, the world is not an illusion. Not only did God create and rejoice in the material reality He created, but our eternal existence will be lived out on a new earth! (Revelation 21-22)

Jesus did not come to save us from ignorance relating to an illusion, but to save us from the wages of sin. The drama of redemption was accomplished in space and time on this objective planet. And Jesus died in order to set the cosmos free as well—all of created reality, (Romans 8) from the effects of the historical Fall. Thus, for followers of Jesus, the material realm is not an illusion to flee from but the renewed earth will be the arena in which we shall experience His goodness for all eternity!  And that is no Matrix…it is utter, sweet, real, reality!

Read Part 2 here: http://eyeontheparanormal.blogspot.com/2017/12/what-is-reality-part-2reality-as-self.html

Mark Hunnemann is the author of Seeing Ghosts Through God's Eyes: A Worldview Analysis of Earthbound Spirits. It's also available in eBook format.

10 Reasons Why Infinite Alternative Realities Are Not Possible

By Reverend Mark Hunnemann

Recently I was communicating with Laura Maxwell regarding a discussion she had with a man who stated that he was ex-New Ager, but he believed in alternate realities or universes. Numerous insights shared here came from Laura, The idea is that there are allegedly infinite incarnations of each of us in every conceivable situation, in infinite universes. Infinite means infinite, not just a whole lot. What are the ramifications of this belief, and are they compatible with Christianity? Does the bible have any insights on cosmology, and how many universes there are?

First, let’s lay the foundation. The bible/Proverbs says that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of both wisdom and knowledge. Though these two are closely tied together in Proverbs, “knowledge” tends to focus on correct understanding of the world and our place as creatures, while “wisdom” is the acquired skill of applying that knowledge in a way that pleases God. May God enable us to please Him in our pursuit of accurate understanding of the totality of His creation and our place in it.
Again, the idea is that there are infinite realities and some see these universes as bubbles, and each one may have different scientific rules and moral codes.

This notion is common in occult/New Age circles, and is used to express New Age concepts, such as quantum jumping. However, mainstream theoretical physicists and cosmologists are championing this idea on print and on TV frequently. Our concern is that this notion is becoming quite common amongst professing Christians as well. Just as some drugs may act as gate-ways to more serious drugs, so some beliefs are gate-way beliefs which often to lead to a slippery slope down into the darkness of occultic beliefs and practices. And that is my concern about Christians embracing this concept of multiverse.

I need to affirm that of all people, Christians should let their imaginations soar to the stars because we have a solid foundation to distinguish between reality and fantasy. So, anything I say here should not be construed as a squashing of a PROPER use of our imaginations. Positing infinite universes as fact (and not in fiction) is not a proper use of reason, the Word, or imagination.

A new word appeared in cosmology literature—multiverse…instead of universe. Here are my reasons for challenging it:

1. Multivese or infinite universes is a contradiction in terms because the universe is supposed to include everything.

Definition of ‘universe’—all existing matter and space considered as a whole; the cosmos. By definition, the universe contains everything there is. Hence, the notion of infinite universes is infinitely absurd and internally self-contradictory.

You cannot have multiple/infinite everythings. Most physicists and cosmologist are not Christians and have non-biblical presuppositions which guide how they interpret the data/phenomena—and it’s NOT the fear of God. You can look at the same evidence and different presuppositions will lead to radically different conclusions (e.g. cosmic background radiation). Arguments for infinite realities/universes are often circular in nature…assuming the very thing to be proved.

Some scientists appeal to the Anthropic principle, and state that we ‘create’ universes by existing to observe it. However, creating reality through our minds is classic occult belief. We cannot create anything from nothing, much less a universe, which is something only God can do.

We believe in the basic reliability of the sense perceptions because, the same God who made the external world also made our 5 senses to accurately perceive God’s world. There is a correspondence between what we see, hear, taste, touch, and smell and the external world, because God created both. Immanuel Kant dropped a bombshell on modern man with his distinction between noumena (thing in itself) and the phenomena (what we observe), and never the twain shall meet. But the Christian has no such problem!

2. Occam's razor (principle of preferring simpler explanation)would clearly prefer the simplicity of a single universe, which easily and comprehensively explains the phenomena. The notion of infinite universes raises more questions than it answers, and unbelief was the assumption that gave rise to it. It adds infinite complexity and confusion, which is contra Occam’s razor principle.

3. The teaching is that there are infinite variations of all of us. If there are infinite Mark’s, then which one will be judged?  The absurdity of it would be humorous if it weren’t so tragic. Hebrews 9:27 states that each person will die once (not infinite times), and will immediately face judgment. Infinite variations of me/you is inconsistent with personal judgment. I have to keep my points brief. J
If everyone has infinite identities, then so should Jesus and Hitler. That is blasphemous and utterly heretical. And there would be universes in which He didn’t die for our sins…again, unthinkable. In fact, there should be a universe in which you/me were Jesus. Or Lucifer is good. It is utterly arbitrary to affirm infinite identities, except balk when it comes to being God’s Messiah. That is special pleading, an informal  logical fallacy. That just shows that folks can’t live with the logical extension of this absurd notion.

4. The word ‘universe’ is a combination of two Latin words-uni  (one), versus (turned)…or combined into one, whole. The idea is that of unity amidst vast diversity of the cosmos. This is a faint but lovely picture of the unity amidst the diversity of the Trinity. For millennia, philosophers dealt with the ‘one and many’ problem in an attempt to explain reality. (Unfortunately, modern philosophy, for the most part, has given up on such discussions) How can we explain how the unity and diversity that we observe on the macro and micro levels, or the one and many, came to be? Look around and see/feel the unity amidst the diversity in nature! Whether you are looking through a microscope at the complexity of a cell, or a picture from the Hubble Telescope, this phenomenon is staggering! A recent trip to the NC Zoo accented the diversity of animals, and yet they are all animals.Which is more ultimate: unity or diversity?

The pre-Socratic  philosophers were consumed with trying to explain the nature of reality, and especially how there can be such unity in nature with all its mind-boggling diversity? Ancient philosophers like Heraclitus and Parmenides  came to opposite conclusions. One stated that unity was ultimate and the other that diversity/change was ultimate. There were even the ‘atomists’ who posited atom like particles that explained the unity and diversity! So, which is ultimate?
The biblical answer is that both are equally ultimate, as reflected in the oneness of God, but existing in three Persons. What a fantastic answer we have for modern man who is lost in the darkness of their autonomous reason…and has no basis for true and accurate knowledge of God’s world. “He who trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.” (Proverbs 28:26)
My point is that the notion of a uni-verse was born out of a Christian worldview in which scientists understood that Jesus is the Logos that coheres all reality together (Colossians 1:16-17; John 1:1-3)), and that the vast diversity of the cosmos reflects the unity amidst the diversity in the Trinity. In other words, the universe was seen as a thing of wonder and mystery which reflected the very character of God Himself. (Romans 1:18ff)

ALL that God created is contained in this one universe in which there is a mind-boggling unity amidst the staggering diversity of God’s universe. The scientific laws we have discovered are really God’s laws which He implanted into the very fabric of reality or the universe. They display the unity and diversity principle as well, whether it is astronomy to zoology. When I walked outside today, taking in the loveliness around me, I saw a jet 30,000 feet up. How wonderful it is that God has created a world in which, through the cultural mandate in Genesis, we can discover His laws in the warp and woof of the universe, and make such fantastic inventions!

However, the notion of a multiverse brings in its wake chaos-which is demonic. The unity/diversity model is lost and chaos reigns, with infinite bubble universes bumping into each other, and there is no cohering principle. The multiverse model is a sign of how far how our culture has drifted from the Triune God into foolish flights of cosmological fancy, which leads to a horror of great darkness because there is no meaning  or coherence in this model of infinite universes.

5. Which leads me to my next point. Those who espouse the notion of multiverse have to assert, if they are consistent, that each alleged universe (here the inner self-destructive nature of its language appears)has its own scientific rules and moral codes. Each universe has its own understanding of truth regarding all aspects of life. Focusing on the latter, we see that this notion is at odds with the biblical insistence that Truth is objective and absolute because God’s law is based on His unchanging character. As Laura pointed out, the notion of multiple truths is absurd and is contrary to God’s Word regarding truth being unchanged and unchanging. Infinite truths leads to a horror of great darkness, in which wrong is right, and vice versa.John 17:17 says that God’s Word is not only True, but it is Truth itself (Greek, alathea, noun),and is thus the standard of truth against which everything else must be tested or compared)So, the notion of multiverse has serious problems from which there is no escape.

6. The notion of infinite universes is impossible because only God is infinite—even the universe, though enormous, is not infinite. If there were infinite universes then they would be God because they are infinite, which is an aspect of divinity. Infinite is not a whole lot—not 10 to billionth power comes even close to a speck compared to infinity. Infinity means there is no end….endless numbers of universes. If this does not concern you, then it should because it is an attempt to become like God, through the guise of science. The infinity of God is what theologians refer to as an imcommunicable (non-transferable) attribute of God. Just as God’s omnipotence and omniscience are divine attributes, so is infinity.Our God is too small!!

7. Are we to believe that Satan is a good being, possibly the Messiah, in one of these other infinite universes? God forbid! But it shows the ugliness and absurdity of this view.

8. Anyone familiar with the Judeo-Christian worldview, will instantly realize that the notion of infinite universes is hostile or contrary to their/our worldview. This is especially true when it comes to the biblical teaching regarding the nature of reality. The growth of the occult worldview has opened the door to this heretofore unthinkable model of reality.

9. Let us now look at the biblical data:

1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1) Bereshith bara Elohim shamayim we ha eres (Hebrew)
3  By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.(Hebrews 11:3)
1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2. He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things (panta, Greek) were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. (John 1:1-3)
“Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things, (ektisas ta panta, Greek)
and by your will they existed and were created. (Revelation 4:11)
16 For by him all things were created (ekthisthe ta panta, Greek), in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together…. 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.(Colossians 1:16-20)

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.(Romans 8:18-23….bolds added to several texts)

I quoted these texts because they answer most the questions pertinent to this discussion.

Notice that in most texts it is explicitly stated that ALL THINGS (not just one of infinite others) that were created through Jesus, and it’s a clear reference to the universe created in Genesis 1:1.All things means all things-what we call the universe.

Genesis 1:1.is a fundamental presupposition that runs through the entire bible. In this verse we see the creation of matter, and the space-time continuum. This is not a summary verse; it is God’s first act in which the one universe was spoken into existence—the very fabric of space and time. Heaven and earth is an expression meaning ‘everything’ ;seen or unseen. This interpretation is supported by the New Testament (see Hebrews 11:3 and Revelation 4:11) It is the biblical teaching of God creating the entire created world/universe ex nihilo (out of nothing). Contrary to other pagan beliefs, Moses and NT authors tell us that God did not create from pre-existing matter. By His sovereign, all mighty power, God spoke the entire creation into existence. Hebrews 11:3 emphasizes the ‘out of nothing’ aspect of creation.

Genesis 1:1 tells us from the outset that God created the heavens and the earth, which means EVERYTHING. It is an amazing comment about God creating everything he created, and there is no mention of alternate universes. The same is true of the other verses. Note especially John 1:3 where it says that ALL things were created through Him, And to make sure we heard him correctly John adds, that nothing was created that Jesus did not create…NOTHING. John could not have been clearer. It is as if He said—“there is nothing that exists anywhere that I did not create. My creation of the universe includes all that I created.” Does that not exclude alternate universes?  Everything that was created, was created by Jesus, and is identical with our universe, both visible and invisible. Only by eisogesis (reading into text ones views) can one extract the notion of multiverse from these anti-multiverse verses.

In Colossians, Jesus not only created everything but He sustains it as well. In John 1:1-3, the Logos/Logic (Jesus, and Greek word can be translated either Word or Logic) created and holds the fabric of creation together. Jesus is the Logic of the universe.

The New heavens and earth in Revelation in 21 and 22 indicate that the space time continuum will be sustained through eternity because heaven will be here on earth and we will have glorified but material bodies, which occupy space and live in time. (2 Corinthians 5; 1 Cor. 15) Eternal life in heaven does not necessarily entail the end of space and time. Why should it? You don’t have to worry about CERN or anyone else changing the basic fabric of God’s creation which He upholds with His omnipotent right arm, and will extend through eternity. Whatever Cern is doing, they can’t mess with God’s basic creational pattern which is eternal in nature. I was going to mention the Mandela Effect but think that is an issue for another day. The alleged bending of time/space is a distinct issue from alternate realties.

In Genesis 3 and Romans 8 (see above) the Fall of Adam effected the entire creation—ALL that God had created. In Romans 8 it states that the universe/all creation ‘groans’ due to the Fall, and longs for Jesus’ return so that it, too, will be liberated from the consequences of Adam’s sin. In v.22 it states explicitly that ‘all creation groans’ due to Adam’s sin. How can this jive with infinite universes because that would mean that ALL CREATION does not mean what it says. In fact, it would seem to mean the opposite, since infinite other universes were allegedly not touched by Adam’s Fall. But the Word of God is explicit that all creation was touched by both the Fall, as well as the cosmic ramifications of the blessed Atonement.

The Fall caused:
1. Man separated from God;
2. Man separated from other men (beginning of violence between humans);
3. Man’s separation from himself (origin of psychological problems);
4. Man's separation from nature (hostility and fear between man and animals),
5. Separation of nature from nature (nature became ‘red in tooth and claw’)

Jesus’ death had cosmic ramifications for the entire creation. (see Col. and Romans) Ephesians 1:14 says, “..A plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Him, things in heaven and on earth.” Nowhere do we see alternate realities that were not affected by the historical Fall, nor by the scope of Christ’s atonement. The central theme of the drama of redemption is that the work of Christ on the cross is the central axis for the history of God’s entire creation, whether in heaven or on Earth…and He silenced all demonic powers. All of human and comic history revolves around the cross. That is, ALL of God’s creation was affected by the Fall, and has now been (or will be at Christ’s return) experience full liberation. The cosmic nature of Christ’s death is often overlooked. He not only defeated sin, Satan/demons, death, but He secured the redemption of the entire universe.

Instead, this is powerful refutation of infinite universes because we see that Adams Fall affected everything—except heaven. The universe, as we know it, was affected to its outer reaches. You cannot fit infinite universes into this drama of Fall and redemption.

So serious was this sin problem that God gave His all—He couldn’t have given more—and are we to believe that there are infinite me/you that do NOT need salvation? That is both repugnant to the Word and reason. The bible says that Jesus died ONCE for ALL. Any view that diminishes the perfection of the Person and Work of Christ, is a HUGE red flag, and is The Litmus Test for whether a belief is biblical or not.

As Laura reminded me, Hebrews states that Jesus died “once for ALL.” If the other alleged infinite universes are inhabited by intelligent beings, as is stated to be the case, then they either didn’t fall, or if they did, then Jesus would have had to have taken on infinite incarnations (each to be appropriate for the fallen inhabitants…Hebrews 2) and die infinitely. This is monstrous and contrary to Jesus dying “once for all.” Surely the folly of man’s autonomous knowledge of the world is nowhere more evident than here. If God The Father ever has to choose between the singular honor and dignity of His only Son, and our unrestrained imagination, then He will always choose His Son.

10. Contrary to many people’s opinions, the earth IS the center of the universe—not spatially, but in terms of it being the singular focus of God’s affection and love, from all eternity; past present and future (See Ephesians 1). All the mysteries and beauty of the entire cosmos were created for God’s glory and for our pleasure. From Genesis 1 to Revelation 22,, the earth was to be the temple of God, as well as His footstool.

 In Genesis 2, after finishing creating of ALL things, God rested and saw the earth as His temple, which is where it will be for all eternity after Second Coming (Revelation 21-22) Again, how can one fit this in with the concept of infinite universes? God will reign here….Immanuel—God with us!

When Satan fell, where was he sent? Earth, and not one of infinite possible dimensions. We see in Job and elsewhere, that Earth is the locus of God’s enemy, and not some alternate universe. This is implicit evidence of this being the only reality or universe. The location of the battle royale of the ages is our planet—not some far off galaxy or alternate universe.

So, unless we want to think that, when God said that He created ALL things, that God meant only our “little bubble” but not the infinite other bubbles, then we need to take God’s Word at face value.

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Bereshith bara Elohim shamayim we ha eres. God said it. That settles it. I believe it. Thus, I will not preface my comments with: “In my opinion…”

It is this existing universe, mentioned in Genesis 1 and Revelation 21-22 in which the Triune God will reign on THIS Earth for all eternity, with all of His adopted sons and daughters, through Jesus Christ.  How can there be infinite other universes if God has said that the planet we live on will be His dwelling place forever and ever? Can’t we see that this notion could only have arisen in a culture riddled with an occult/Gnostic worldview?

Let us rejoice that, as Isaiah says: “…God created the Earth so that it might be inhabited…”, and that for all eternity we shall reign with God over His redeemed creation.

Mark Hunnemann is the author of Seeing Ghosts Through God's Eyes: A Worldview Analysis of Earthbound Spirits. It's also available in eBook format.

Ghosts...A Line in the Sand

By Reverend Mark Hunnemann

There comes a time where, with tears, a Christian must draw a line in the sand, and say "No further." I write with a heavy heart because it seems that a growing number of Christians are falling prey to the spirit of the age  when in comes to ghosts.They toss out aberrant (they might call it creative thought) interpretations of scripture re the possibility of humans returning to earth...or their own experience, and don't realize the "little ones" they are causing to stumble or just general confusion/chaos in the minds of many who respect them.. Theological ignorance and hubris is awful and rampant. Using Purgatory as a means of explaining why some people get stuck here is so terribly off base theologically/biblically it makes me shake my head in disbelief.

Another way of putting it is that the notion of ghosts is a "watershed issue". A watershed is a dividing ridge (such as a mountain range) separating one drainage area from others.On one side the water runs west, and a few inches over the water flows east. That is a watershed. The debate over ghosts is a watershed issue today. There is no doubt in my mind that the notion of ghosts is Satan's most successful and effective deception in our current intellectual/spiritual landscape. Billions (yes "b") around the globe now embrace some form of necromancy and the numbers keep exploding in growth.The mere belief in ghosts is the first step..... And no aberrant belief has more destructive power to open the gates of darkness and demonic evil. There is a watershed....it has to do with the Lordship of Christ over the totality of life.Will we see Christ as Lord over life and death, or not? Does He own our souls, or not? Do we enter rest in heaven upon death, or not....all based on the finished work of Christ on the cross?

Many of my brothers and sisters in Christ (RC and Protestant) don't seem to grasp how significant this watershed issue has become. From Genesis to Revelation, this issue is not only clear but exceedingly serious in God's eyes.

In every generation Christians are commanded by God to be cognizant of where Satan is attacking, but we remain (mostly) oblivious.

Abortion is a watershed issue and so is the diabolical idea of ghosts. If you disagree, then--I say this gently but firmly--you are accommodating this end of days Satanic onslaught. That is what a watershed issue does...it draws a line in the sand and says, "No further." Can any Christian today say that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was wrong...or even if he was right, he should have not pressed the issue so persistently? Certainly not! Then please don't complain about making this issue such a passionate priority.

I do not care who your mentor was (e.g. Malachi Martin--whom I respect), no human is infallible in their interpretation of their supernatural experiences.Only the infallible bible is infallible re interpreting any/all of reality.

The Greatest Generation was/is great but they did very poorly re race (with few exceptions including my parents), and since then I have been almost paranoid about where WE may be blind. The notion of ghosts is the single most destructive belief which we are (with some exception) ignoring. To make matter worse, there are so many back or side doors through which Christians are allowing this belief of mass destruction to pass through. May God help our generation to wake up to our responsibility...or our kids will suffer terribly.The line is drawn in the sand.....a watershed....which side are you on?

Mark Hunnemann is the author of Seeing Ghosts Through God's Eyes: A Worldview Analysis of Earthbound Spirits. It's also available in eBook format.

Two Conflicting Worldviews—Oneism vs. Twoism

By Reverend Mark Hunnemann

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)….biblical worldview

“In the beginning was the universe/energy/consciousness…”    “In the beginning the universe created the universe.” The OTHER worldview…….the pagan worldview.

 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.(Romans 1:20-23)

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. (Hebrews 11:1-3)

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God,

to receive glory and honor and power,

for you created all things,

and by your will they existed and were created.” (Revelation 4:11)

Many people don’t realize that America has experienced a Second Revolution, beginning in the 1960’s. It was similar to the French Revolution it that its goal was to bring radical change to the forms, structures, values, and ethics of the status quo. It had to destroy before ushering in utopia. It is seeking to bring in a New Age with the dawning of the Age of Aquarius. However, the dawn of the New Age is now at its high noon. Though this revolution, in its inception, was relatively bloodless, its consequences have been brutally bloody. 60 million unborn children have died in this ‘enlightened’ age…and this is just the USA. And for the New Age worldview to succeed, Christianity has to be neutralized.

Neo-paganism has led to neo-barbarianism. We stand at the graveside of western civilization and we must weep and wake up! In order to speak the timeless truth of the gospel in a meaningful way in our changing culture, we need to understand what the underlying assumptions or worldview is of those around us.

 One of the reasons people seem to talk past each other when debating issues like: earthbound spirits, poltergeists, residual energy, abortion etc. Is that the underlying worldview is rarely addressed. Every person has a worldview which acts like spectacles through which they view all of reality. It affects how we think, how we act, and how we feel.If that is not discussed then we will unlikely persuade people on any deep level.

I want to begin a series which contrasts the two conflicting worldviews of today. Though it may appear reductionistic, this is a simple but accurate way of summarizing the only two worldviews that have existed since the dawn of time.(in my book I mention several worldviews, but they all can be boiled down to two, and just two).

Why is there something rather than nothing? And what is the nature of that something? Where did we come from? Colin Gunyon stated, “There are, probably, ultimately only two possible answers to the question of origins, and they recur at different places in all ages: (either) that the universe is the result of creation by a free personal agency, or that in some way or other it created itself. The two answers are not finally compatible, and require a choice, either between them or an attitude of agnostic refusal to decide.”

I want to gently ask—how can you live with yourself if you have not taken the time to understand why you are here? How can you expect to experience a meaningful life if you don’t care what the meaning of life is—its origin and its explanation?

For the sake of simplicity, Dr Peter Jones says that there are only two ultimate worldview explanations of origins—what he calls Oneism and Twoism. These are two mutually-contradictory ways to think about the world. Let me let Jones explain what these terms mean. I highly recommend this book by Dr Jones, a brilliant scholar who is an astute observer of what is happening in our culture. (see below)

Oneism—“sees the world as self-creating (or perpetually existing) and self-explanatory. Everything is made up of the same stuff, whether matter, spirit, or a mixture. There’s one kind of existence, which, in one way or another, we worship as divine (or of ultimate importance), even if that means worshipping ourselves. Though there is apparent differentiation and even hierarchy, all distinctions are, in principle, eliminated, and everything has the same worth. This is ‘homocosmology’, a worldview based on sameness. The classic term for this is ‘paganism’, worship of nature.” (pg. 12 The Other Worldview, Peter Jones)

In other words, there is ultimately only ONE reality…..creator and creation are compressed. Hence, Oneism. This false worldview takes on many different faces, but the bottom line is the same—ultimately, there is only one kind of ultimate reality.

Twoism—“The only other option is a world that is the free work of a personal, transcendent God, who creates ex nihilo (from nothing). In creating, God was not constrained by or dependent on any pre-existing conditions. There is nothing exactly like this in our human experience of creating; our creative acts are analogous to God’s. There is God, and there is everything that is not God—everything created and sustained by the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This worldview celebrates otherness, distinctiveness. We only worship as divine the distinct, personal, triune Creator, who placed essential distinctions within creation. This is a ‘heterocosmology’, a worldview based on otherness and difference. This is often called ‘theism’. (pg.13) (Islam and Judaism are deficient attempts at Twoism, but ultimately are Oneist due to lack of Trinity)
 In other words, there are ultimately only two kinds of reality—The infinite/personal Creator, and His creation (visible and invisible)…..Twoism
 Phrases you may have heard that express Oneism
 I’m not religious, but spiritual (this has different meanings but I suggest that Christians not use this verbiage)
 Breaking or denying boundaries
 Breaking taboos
 Abolishing ‘either/or’ thinking
‘As above, so below’ (no distinction between divine and human)
Non-duality
Oneness—all is one
Enlightenment, chakra, it’s all relative, synchronicity with the Universe, raising energy/consciousness levels, affirming/afforming changes in reality, sending positive thoughts, innate human psychic powers etc, etc.

Whether implicitly or explicitly embraced, these two world views are antithetical….mutually exclusive. One is true and the other is false.  In the moral worldview of the bible knowledge is never ‘neutral’. That is why Paul calls one of these worldviews ‘the truth’ and the other worldview ‘the lie’ (Romans 1:25)

Oneism is the lie, and Twoism is the truth.

From the opening line in Genesis to Revelation (see above texts), the bible insists that there are two, and only two, kinds of reality…..the Creator, and everything else…the creation. But paganism merges the two into an idolatrous one.

 From time of gestation (mid sixties) to full birth (mid-nineties), a pagan Oneist worldview has virtually overrun and taken over our culture.  Pop culture (movies, TV shows, books/novels, spirituality, sexuality, ect.) has been both a cause and symptom of this Oneist juggernaut. For those who are sensitive, the amount of change that has occurred in the last 30 years has been staggering and heart-wrenching—nothing short of a second American Revolution…that has spread worldwide.

Secular humanism and pagan spirituality are both Oneist worldviews. For quite a while secular humanism was the dominant enemy of Christianity, but it is sputtering due to its lack of explanatory power and its consequences (two world wars). Ironically, our culture is not becoming less spiritual, but MORE spiritual…..but this spirituality is from hell. It denies the Creator (see Romans 1:18 ff) and deifies the creation.

We shall look at this in more detail in the coming weeks. But we must ask: is it over? Is it too late? The answer is not a nostalgic return to the 1950’s. We need a generation of spiritual warriors who are valiant for truth and are aware of this worldview shift…to bring the biblical worldview back and pray for revival/reformation.

 For now, my main goal was to make folks aware of the two competing worldviews.

 Next week we shall look at Carl Jung’s  massive contribution to this paradigm shift.

Mark Hunnemann is the author of Seeing Ghosts Through God's Eyes: A Worldview Analysis of Earthbound Spirits. It's also available in eBook format.  

Sweet Dreams Are Made of This

Hello everyone hope you have had a fantastic weekend. I pray everyone is healthy and everyone you love is healthy. This week I'd like to discuss how some believe in their opinion that God speaks to us in dreams. It's not just a time where some feel they are open for demonic attack. Call on God next time you feel this way and see what happens. The bible has examples of God speaking to people in dreams and telling us he will speak through dreams. The following a a few examples of that.

And they replied "we both had dreams but no one can tell us what they mean.”
“Interpreting dreams is God’s business,” Joseph replied.
“Go ahead and tell me your dreams"

Genesis 40:8 (NLT) Jacob Dreamed
11 Then the Angel of God spoke to me in a dream, saying, 'Jacob.' And I said, 'Here I am.'24 But God had come to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said to him, "Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad."
Gen 31:11,24 Genesis 2812 Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.

"And the Lord said to them, “Now listen to what I say:
“If there were prophets among you,I, the Lord, would reveal myself in visions. I would speak to them in dreams."
Numbers 12:6 (NLT)

"He speaks in dreams, in visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they lie in their beds."
Job 33:15 (NLT)

"For in many dreams and in many words there is emptiness.
Rather, fear God." "And the LORD answered me, and said,
Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables,
that he may run that readeth  it.  For the vision is yet for an appointed time,
but at the end it shall speak, and not lie:
though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry."
Habakkuk 2:2-3 (KJV)

"And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams" Acts 2:17

The facts that you have heard from God does not mean everyone will welcome your dream. People will react differently but most likely not positive at times. Your dream will be opposed just like Joseph’s and Jesus’ and Nehemiah’s or Paul’s. However this should not deter you. If you know your dream is from God, hold on to it, pray it back to God when the storms and wind come storming in. The brothers of Joseph conspired against him. They threw him into the pit sold him into slavery. He ended up in Potiphar’s house as a servant. It was as if his dream bought and brought him trouble.

What I do is keep a pen and paper next to my bed to take notes of any odd dreams so I can remember them because many people, and I am among them tend to forget what they have dreamed the longer they are awake. What took place seems to fade rather quickly upon waking up from these. I'm not sure why that happens. Could be a number of reasons for this but if you write down some notes upon waking that will really up possibly in understanding what exactly took place in the dreams you are having.

Written By Jennifer Auld

Did the Angels & Women Mate? Part 1

This two-part blog is written to discuss this notion that Angels and humans had intermingled together and as a result ‘giants’ were produced.  So let’s examine Genesis 6:1-5, specifically the notion that fallen angels copulated with women as depicted in Gen. 6:2 which states "That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose." Many people think that it was the angels who took for themselves human women to produce marry and seduce for their pleasures and produce 'Giants'. So what then do we know?

Let's lay this out to help you understand several aspects to see if this lines up with the bible as truth.

A. First of all, we have scriptural proof that the angels and mankind cannot marry. There were NO extraterrestrial relations and 1st Corinthians 15:39,40 proves it.  “All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.”

For you see from this scripture above that the passage plainly states that men are men, animals are animals, fish are fish, birds are birds, and angels are angels.  There is not one Scriptural reference which would even remotely lead us to believe that the angels and humans ever had sex. For Christ Jesus plainly stated in Mark 12:25 concerning the departed saints, "For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven."

I acknowledge this scripture verse is self-explanatory from above, that Christ Jesus said no marriage in Heaven. Carefully notice that Genesis 6:2 states... "and they took them wives of all which they chose."  Furthermore, Mark 12:25 says that angels cannot marry; but Genesis 6:2 says that the sons of God married the daughters of men. Clearly there would be a serious contradiction in the scriptures here if the sons of God were then angels!

B. This matter of "the sons of God" and "the daughters of men" is something that has caused no end of discussion. There are a great many good men/women who take the position that "the sons of God" were angels.  So we have to examine the word of God and learn about the righteousness of God.  Many Clergy/teachers have taught (and still are) that these sons of God were angels and I recognize that a great many of the present-day preachers/believers take that position.

However, I cannot accept this view and maybe you need to examine this for yourself as well. We know from the word of God about righteousness and evil. Therefore, follow me here, if these were good angels who then took for themselves women (AFTER THE FALL), they would commit an act against GOD thus - Sin. So then we have a second fall of angels right? Where is that recorded? The word of God would have certainly discussed this.

What is it then that we do know?

1. Is that the evil angels could never be designated as "sons of God."

2. The offspring here were men; they were not monstrosities.

I do not know why it is assumed by so many that the offspring were giants. We will look at this more closely when we come to verse 4.  “And the Lord said, my spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years [Gen. 6:3].”

Understanding that Noah preached for 120 years, and during that time the Spirit of God was striving with men. The Apostle Peter makes it very clear that it was back in the days of Noah that the Spirit of God was striving with men in order that He might bring them to God—but they would not turn.

"For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison" (1 Pet. 3:18–19).

These spirits were in prison when the Apostle Peter wrote, but they were preached to in the days of Noah. Now how do we know that? Verse 20 reads: "Which sometime were disobedient, when once the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a-preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water." When were they disobedient? During the long-suffering of God in the days of Noah—during those 120 years.

There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown [Gen. 6:4].

It says, "There were giants in the earth in those days," but it does not say they are the offspring of the sons of God and the daughters of men. It does say this about the offspring: "the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown." These were not monstrosities; they were men. The record here makes it very clear that the giants were in the earth before this took place, and it simply means that these offspring were outstanding individuals.

So let us examine this more closely. The literal translation of this verse is, And the sons of the “Elohim” saw the daughters of the Adam that they were good (beautiful); and they took to them wives whomsoever they chose. Of the sons of the Elohim there are three principal interpretations:

1. That of the Targums and the chief Jewish expositors, that they were the nobles, and men of high rank.

2. That these were angels. St. Jude, Jude 1:6, and St. Peter, 2 Ep., 2Peter 2:4, seem to favor this interpretation, possibly as being the translation of the manuscripts. But even if this be their meaning, which is very uncertain, they use it only as an illustration.  Remember from above “a higher authority says that the angels neither marry nor are given in marriage.”

3. This is the most generally accepted interpretation in modern times, is that the sons of the Elohim were the Cainite and Sethites, which that when they married for mere lust of beauty, universal corruption soon ensued. But no modern commentator has shown how such marriages could produce “mighty men . . . men of renown;” or how strong warriors could be the result of the intermarriage of pious men with women of an inferior race, such as the Cainites are assumed to have been.

So we now know the daughters of man are in general, without any distinction of a moral or spiritual kind, and therefore including both Cainite and Shethite females. "And they took them wives of all whom they chose." The evil here described is that of promiscuous intermarriage, without regard to spiritual character.

Stay tuned! Read Did the Angels and Women Mate? Part 2

Rev. Brad Luoma, Exorcist and Deliverance Minister
Savior Christian Deliverance Ministries

Was Satan Truly Cain's Father?

Recently while I was out of state handling several cases of diabolic possession I was watching TV and the preacher who was on was making a very bold claim about Cain and Abel. This preacher was spot on regarding the Biblical story and discussion regarding Cain killing Abel. However, the clergy member stated boldly that the Bible says that Cain was the offspring of the snake (Satan).

Well this struck me and I was led to listen even more intently to this man preach. After his segment was over I knew in my heart that this was not proper teaching and I wanted to let all of you who follow this page know that the controversy of Cain being the seed of the snake is NOT proper and true.

As many of you know scripture can be misinterpreted by isolating a certain scripture. Therefore using one point or one word in a sentence to determine what the context is to be. As followers we are told to divide the word of truth; which means we cannot disregard the majority of references written on any given subject throughout the Scripture of doctrine as a whole.

Now, there are believers and followers of Lord Jesus Christ who have adopted a cult like interpretation of the fall of Adam and Eve in Genesis. This cult like aspect leads a person to believe that Satan is the cause of the fall by intercourse with Eve which resulted in Cain being the offspring of Eve. Thus the eating of the fruit of the tree is symbolic in its meaning.

The truth can only be explained correctly by holding to a literal interpretation about this event, which is how Jesus Christ described Genesis. Those who come to another conclusion do so because they equate or symbolize the event of the fall into a metaphor. This type of interpretation is often found in the new age movement and like cults.  Our Bible makes it clear that fall of man came from the eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge by both Adam and Eve, it had nothing to do with intercourse or "knowing" eve as some followers like to say.

The Bible says this, At a certain time of the day the Lord visits them and said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?" Then the man said, "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate" (Gen. 3:11-12).  There are those who insist that Cain is the offspring of the Serpent, (Satan) by Eve’s eating of the tree (symbolic of her having intercourse with the snake). When intercourse is described the phrase (“knew her”) is used. This is completely missing the mark in describing the sin of Eve. If one turns the eating of the fruit into promiscuity on Eve’s part – than what can be said of regarding Adam?

God blames Adam for the sin, not Eve, which would be a necessity if this was a sexual sin by her participation. Adam and Eve were monogamous: it would not have occurred to our first parent to "know" any other than "his wife," and “her husband.” How else could Jesus refer to their marriage in Mt.19:5 as the standard if one was unfaithful, especially in conception (1 Cor.6:16). To make Eve a harlot or anything relating to this scenario is a demonic teaching!

We know the story but let's get definitive shall we. First we need to recognize that Satan is evil with no good, second the word eating is used for food. They were already eating from all the other trees. If eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil was intercourse then eating from the other trees is intercourse as well.

The Bible says Adam did not know his wife until after they were put out of the garden. This whole theory is in jeopardy if one reads the word of God carefully and correctly. The “serpent seed doctrine” states that Adam did not know Eve intimately during the time of their stay in the garden but Satan did. This is incorrect.  According to the word of God the conception of Cain took place after Adam and Eve were put out of the garden from the fall (eating of the forbidden tree), but the 'sin' was from eating of this tree which caused the fall took place in the garden.

One has to do some doctrinal cutting and pasting which is incorrect to try and connect Cain’s conception to the encounter with Satan as the tree or fruit. This changes the literal descriptions in Genesis to match this story in nature. This is a literal event - literal trees, literal people and a literal serpent, which is also mentioned several times in the New Testament in these verses (Rom. 5:21, 16:20; 1 Cor.15:21; 2 Cor.11:3-4; 1 Tim. 2:14).

Therefore we can conclude the following according to Gen 4:1: “Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, "I have acquired a man from the LORD." Gen 4:1 Adam knew his wife and an ancient word is 'meuo' referring to know - intimately (as in sexual intercourse). When Eve conceived; the Hebrew word is harah; a primitive root; to be (or become) pregnant, conceive (literally or figuratively): KJV-- been, be with child, conceive, progenitor.

Nowhere does the Holy Bible say Cain was conceived by anyone else but Adam. It does not say Satan, the Serpent or any other 'knew' Eve. When Eve bore Cain she said he was from the Lord, not Satan. She saw this child as a gift from God. Certainly this would not be the case if Satan was progenitor of Cain. You don't get a demon child from God or with His help, nor do you praise God for it.

This becomes a matter of whether one wants to get there teaching from the Bible or use their own imagination. The same word Adam knew his wife and she conceived Cain is used in Gen.4:17 that Cain knew his wife.  So there you have it, the falseness of this 'knowing' eve from a sexual standpoint by the snake/satan is FALSE and needs to be thrown away. Cain and Abel were brothers - not twins as this controversy also likes to further add. The Hebrew texts are crystal clear on what brother verses twin mean (see the story of Esau and Jacob for TWINS).

So hopefully you can see now that this teaching of the Snake 'knowing' Eve is a Demonic teaching straight from the pits of HELL! Therefore you will now have a source for combating this falseness if you ever come to a discussion with a person who believes this aspect.

Blessings and hopefully this helped understand more bible truth.

Rev. Bradley Luoma

Sympathy for the Devil?

By Reverend Mark Hunnemann

"The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy..." 

(John 10:10)

Recently, a friend asked,  "If enough people prayed for Satan, would he be transformed/saved?" The question was buttressed with this comment--"If God is loving and desires all to be saved, then why not Satan?" There seemed to be a tacit sympathy for the devil, and any demons who might be repentant.

My short response to my friend was, "No chance..none."

Before I elaborate, it might surprise some to know how common this sentiment/question is. A Christian author friend, well versed in the bible,  who writes on demonology issues, asked essentially the same question a while back.And others have wondered out loud..... My hunch is that many of us have pondered the same issue.....And no sincere question should be met with calloused dismissiveness.

Let me elaborate on my short negation.Even when you listen to the Rolling Stones song "Sympathy...", they hint at the answer..."I will lay waste to your soul...."

1. From Genesis to Revelation, there is prophesied and sovereignly decreed, the eternal punishment of Satan for rebelling against God and leading His original image bearers (Adam and Eve...Genesis 3) into sin.I don't want to pile up verses, but the bible is replete with references to the triumph of God over the Evil One. The God of Truth predicted and decreed  Satan's certain eternal damnation. For Him to now have sympathy for the devil would make God out to be the consummate liar.

2. One of the primary accomplishments of the atonement was securing the defeat and eternal punishment of Satan.The integrity and perfection of the cross of Christ would be abolished/negated if Satan/demons were "transformed". The NT is filled with references to how Jesus came to destroy the work of Satan (e.g. Colossians 2:15)The cross did not just secure our salvation, but it secured the devils damnation. Hence, any notion of Satanic transformation is an attack on the perfection of the design and accomplishment of the atonement.

3. In Hebrews 2:14-18 are some singularly humbling verses re grace. Grace is God giving us what we don't deserve, and mercy is God NOT giving us what we do deserve.Paraphrasing these verses, Once the Lord freely decided to save humans, God HAD to take on human flesh in order to be a proper substitute for us humans...the God/Man on the cross. However, nowhere are we told that God decided to save the lost angels, taking on their nature, and dying a substitutionary death on a cross for them.They received justice....we received grace and mercy. Please let this sink in. GOD DID NOT HAVE TO SAVE US...AND IF HE DIDN'T, HE STILL WOULD HAVE BEEN JUST. Our misunderstanding of God's love seems to force Him to give us (Satan) a second chance. But that is not grace...it is not mercy. It is a deficient understanding of both, as well as God's burning holiness.God freely decided to give His image bearers a second chance....He freely decided to not give Satan/demons a second chance. Justice.

4. We should rejoice in the eternal destruction of Satan..not have sympathy for him. The devil, if he could, would entice you to hell, after he murdered you and your loved ones. (John 10:10) Satan wants to steal what he can from you...he wants to kill you...and to destroy you. Satan has no remorse for his original sin, nor for the countless and unspeakable horrors since then.  He is irredeemable because the notion is noxious to him. It is psychologically impossible for a sentient being to choose to do something they hate.We always do want we want to do (everything considered).

If every person on the planet prayed everyday for Satan's transformation, it would not change a thing. Prayer does change things, but no amount of prayer can change the eternal decree of God Almighty toward His hated enemy, and the enemy of our souls. God hates Satan--hence, he is doomed for eternal torture. No sympathy for the devil. None. We should rejoice in his eternal punishment. The friend I referred to at the outset, agreed after we discussed these and other issues.

Mark Hunnemann is the author of Seeing Ghosts Through God's Eyes: A Worldview Analysis of Earthbound Spirits. It's also available in eBook format.

Lilith (What Do We Know About This "Female" Demon?)

I've noticed that Lilith's name is showing up on all kinds of TV shows and not just the hit TV series Supernatural. She has been said by many to be the original Eve Adams first wife from the book of Genesis. From what I have researched it is widely believed because she refused to let Adam be on top in a sexual manner for lack of better words (because this would show her submission to man) she was cast down and believed to be a fallen angel. Some say demons have no gender so this makes no sense. There are MANY theories on this subject..and because I have received a lot of emails lately and in the past asking questions about this subject thought I'd do my best to explain what little I know. Many have asked if she was mentioned in the bible or in any type of Demonology or Mythology. There was one small verse that is believed to be referring to her in the bible but I will touch on that shortly. Please keep in mind I am a biblical demonologist. I do not claim to know it all and any and everything that I write is simply my humble opinion based on research and what I have gathered in my last 26 years into this calling. I do not know a whole lot regarding this subject. Please feel free to research this subject for yourself. There are many opinions.

Many believe she is a Succubus. I touched on the subject about the Incubus and Succubus last year in two different blogs and it looks like I might need to do a third update on that. Some also believe that she is the "night hag" that was originally a Mesopotamian female demon called Lilitu, a very beautiful and alluring wraith who tempted men through erotic dreams. But Jewish Demonology tells us that she is a unsightly looking demon of the night who would steal children when she found them alone. In the Gospel there is a verse with a phrase "screeched owl" that many feel it is referring to Lilith. According to Jewish folklore Lilith was Adam’s first wife. Though she is not mentioned in the Torah, over the centuries she became associated with Adam as a way to explain the fact that there are two contradictory versions of Creation in the book of Genesis.

It has been said she will attack the most during Sleep Paralysis. For those who do not know, sleep paralysis is when the brain awakens from Rem sleep but the body remains “asleep” (in paralysis).  Sort of the reverse of sleep walking, which is when the body is ‘awake’ but the brain is asleep. You are are fully conscious but unable to move. This can last a few seconds or a few minutes. However, eye movements are still possible. Individuals experiencing this often feel extreme panic as they try to reestablish the connection between mind and it's connection. It can be very frightening. It seems so very real. It is a terrifying feeling being unable to move or speak. You can't even cry for help audibly. You are totally helpless it seems.

Just in case anyone isn't aware of what a Succubus or Sucubi is thought to be, here's a brief description but like I said for there's many different opinions on this .

"A succubus is a female demon or supernatural entity in folklore (traced back to medieval legend) that appears in dreams and takes the form of a woman in order to seduce men, usually through sexual activity. The male counterpart is the incubus. Religious traditions hold that repeated sexual activity with a succubus may result in the deterioration of health or even death.

In modern representations, a succubus may or may not appear in dreams and is often depicted as a highly attractive seductress or enchantress; whereas, in the past, succubi were generally depicted as frightening and demonic."

English translators of Isaiah 34:14 sometimes lack confidence in their readers’ knowledge of Babylonian demonology. The King James Bible’s prose rendition of the poem translates “the lilith” as “the screech owl,” recalling the ominous bird-like qualities of the Babylonian she-demon. Until the seventh century C.E., Lilith was known as a dangerous embodiment of dark, feminine powers. In the Middle Ages, however, the Babylonian she-demon took on new and even more sinister characteristics. Sometime prior to the year 1000, The Alphabet of Ben Sira was introduced to medieval Jewry. The Alphabet, an anonymous text, contains 22 episodes, corresponding to the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The fifth episode includes a Lilith who was to tantalize and terrify the population for generations to come. To some extent, The Alphabet of Ben Sira shows a familiar Lilith: She is destructive, she can fly and she has a penchant for sex. Yet this tale adds a new twist: As I mentioned above she is Adam’s first wife, before Eve, who boldly leaves Eden because she is treated as man’s inferior.

I found some very interesting posts on Reddit.com\occult in a area which was a type of forum where people were asking for different things such as advice on how to summon Lilith and people who felt they were in danger and under attack from her or demons in general and seeking help/advice. The reason I'm posting a few is so I can  illustrate just how heavily these topics are being pursued and people become obsessed with it. And it was very easy to come across this as well. Sadly it is not hard at all to come across anything dark and dangerous on the Internet and usually it's people like adults obsessed with the paranormal or teenagers and younger children. It's scary what people have access to. I warn you ahead of time these are graphic in nature and the language is definitely pretty harsh with a lot of F bombs. (for lack of better words) Here are the following posts I found on reddit.com. Just a WARNING.....The subjects are graphic in nature. Consider yourselves forewarned. So the following are just a few examples:

" I'm interested in pursuing Lilith's path and want to know what r/occult's adventures in sex demons have been like so far. Dreamscape work, energy manipulation, summoning, servitors, books, tools, whatever stories or tidbits you've got would be appreciated. Tell me all about it! If you specialize in this sort of hoojoo, please PM me, I love talking shop. <3 nbsp="" p="">
EDIT1: Y'all seem to assume I'm not going to alter my personality and lifestyle to harmonize with whatever entity's will and shit. I can see why most people had problems- Don't unsheathe the sword unless you're going to draw blood etc."

"[–]astralanarchist 5 points 9 months ago*

" This is not direct at OP and I'm saying with an utmost respect but...

What's with the incubus and succubi on r/occult lately? This kinda reminds me of a forum I used to lurk and it was(is) filled with people asking about succubi and how to create a sex servitor, etc.

With that said, concerning Lilith, you should read Donald Tyson's works Liber Lilith and Sex Alchemy. (For his sex alchemy, I think it is closer to making a sex servitor to extract "white powder".)

the Lilith or Succubi works do not help me with my path. Therefore, I didn't spend much time doing them.

Devotional work with the Goddess "Nut" or "Nuit" was a different story. It was the best intimate experience with the divine female ever."

"No. Just no. Seriously, F^CK. THAT. SH*T.

Here's what you have to look forward to, working with sex demons:

Stalkers

Impotence

Random and absurdly strong sexual urges

STD's!

Severe emotional instability

An ever downward spiral of increasingly deranged fetishes

Clingy ass borderlines

Did I mention STD's?

Jealous partners

Angry spouses

Destroyed reputations

And in general a lot of fucking bullshit. Sex demons are called demons for a reason. Bringing a sex demon into your life because you like sex is like bringing a pestilence demon into your life to help you tidy up the house and clear up your acne. The whole notion of a sex demon is something that ruins your life with sex. Go learn tantra or some other form of white or at least whitish-gray sex magic, it's loads more fun and arguably more powerful as well."

"Sex demons do nothing for you but temporary satisfaction. They're whores and will drain you of any energy they can, eventually causing horrible depression and destroying any hope of having a long-lasting relationship. This is the reason why porn is devastating to the (male, in particular) mind.

Instead, I recommend Venus who's much better at pairing you with someone who will make your sex life both interesting and long lasting."

[–]DynamoJones23 1 point 9 months ago

"Lilith can become a bit ov an obsession, when I was working with her she ended up having me work for her. I was devoted to her in a teacher/lover way. It was like being in love with a benevolent cult leader. Unobtainable yet, loving.

Looking back I'm surprised I got out ov it by just asking her and my obsession disappeared by the next night without drama. It was the weirdest emotions generated by magick I've experienced yet."

As you can see this gets very very deep and people form very personal relationships and refer to them as their spirit husband our team and husband door demon lover or whatever.

All I can do is say the same thing I always do I know it's been regurgitated and million times do not get up SAST with the stuff to not go down that rabbit hole I can tell you from experience it is something you just don't want to open the door because once you put yourself out there you don't know how many demons have taken notice. They are now familiar with you and feel your fair game and they have a legal right so they could come back at any time.. they are very patient, demons are extremely patient. Something may not happen when you do it or you may leave a investigation unscaved and end up with zero activity after attempting stupid things but these vile creatures are VERY PATIENT! And where they will get using your head they will torture you beyond imagining. Right when things couldn't get worse that is when they will come and you will feel the only relief you can get is death. Take this from somebody who knows personally after messing around with the Ouija board when I knew better my dad always warned me about those things he did many deliverances on people who inadvertently open doors and I did it anyway I was 19 years old. Usually bag for any kind of physical punishment or pain by the time they're done tormenting you in the mind you just have no idea I can assure you you will think you are in hell.

Written By Jennifer L Auld

Ghosts...a Line in the Sand

By Reverend Mark Hunnemann

There comes a time where, with tears, a Christian must draw a line in the sand, and say "No further." I write with a heavy heart because it seems that a growing number of Christians are falling prey to the spirit of the age  when in comes to ghosts.They toss out aberrant (they might call it creative thought) interpretations of scripture re the possibility of humans returning to earth...or their own experience, and don't realize the "little ones" they are causing to stumble or just general confusion/chaos in the minds of many who respect them.. Theological ignorance and hubris is awful and rampant. Using Purgatory as a means of explaining why some people get stuck here is so terribly off base theologically/biblically it makes me shake my head in disbelief.

Another way of putting it is that the notion of ghosts is a "watershed issue". A watershed is a dividing ridge (such as a mountain range) separating one drainage area from others.On one side the water runs west, and a few inches over the water flows east. That is a watershed. The debate over ghosts is a watershed issue today. There is no doubt in my mind that the notion of ghosts is Satan's most successful and effective deception in our current intellectual/spiritual landscape. Billions (yes "b") around the globe now embrace some form of necromancy and the numbers keep exploding in growth.The mere belief in ghosts is the first step..... And no aberrant belief has more destructive power to open the gates of darkness and demonic evil. There is a watershed....it has to do with the Lordship of Christ over the totality of life.Will we see Christ as Lord over life and death, or not? Does He own our souls, or not? Do we enter rest in heaven upon death, or not....all based on the finished work of Christ on the cross?

Many of my brothers and sisters in Christ (Roman Catholic and Protestant) don't seem to grasp how significant this watershed issue has become. From Genesis to Revelation, this issue is not only clear but exceedingly serious in God's eyes.

In every generation Christians are commanded by God to be cognizant of where Satan is attacking, but we remain (mostly) oblivious.

Abortion is a watershed issue and so is the diabolical idea of ghosts. If you disagree, then--I say this gently but firmly--you are accommodating this end of days Satanic onslaught. That is what a watershed issue does...it draws a line in the sand and says, "No further." Can any Christian today say that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was wrong...or even if he was right, he should have not pressed the issue so persistently? Certainly not! Then please don't complain about making this issue such a passionate priority.

I do not care who your mentor was (e.g. Malachi Martin--whom I respect), no human is infallible in their interpretation of their supernatural experiences.Only the infallible bible is infallible re interpreting any/all of reality.

The Greatest Generation was/is great but they did very poorly re race (with few exceptions including my parents), and since then I have been almost paranoid about where WE may be blind. The notion of ghosts is the single most destructive belief which we are (with some exception) ignoring. To make matter worse, there are so many back or side doors through which Christians are allowing this belief of mass destruction to pass through. May God help our generation to wake up to our responsibility...or our kids will suffer terribly.The line is drawn in the sand.....a watershed....which side are you on?

"Seeing Ghosts through God's Eyes" (also in a Kindle edition)...please consider purchasing my book which uses science, logic, and the bible to analyze the true source of power behind paranormal activity.