There is a false dichotomy today in that most people feel there is nothing supernatural in organized religion or Christianity anymore, and neither do they perceive anything supernatural from the naturalistic Darwinism they have received from their public education and the media.  By default, many are looking at the landscape finding there is nothing to feed their spiritual needs, and many of these people are drawn to books on crystals, tarot cards, how to contact the spirit world and other occult practices.  They say to themselves, “there is a spiritual part of me that needs to be nourished.”

Christianity in the United States is declining at a precipitous rate, according to last Thursday’s Pew Research polling data, and the percentage of Christians in the country has hit an all-time low.  In their data results (click here), over the last ten years the percentage of U.S. adults that identify as Christians dropped by a remarkable 12 percent from to 77 percent to just 65 percent, the lowest point in the nation’s 243-year history. During the same period, the number of religious “nones” — those who self-identify as atheist, agnostic, or “nothing in particular” — has shot up by a stunning 17 percent and this group now makes up more than a quarter of the population (26 percent).

The most egregious data point is the number of religiously unaffiliated, acute among young adults, resulting in a markedly less religious generation. Fewer than half of Millennials (49 percent) describe themselves as Christians, while four-in-ten identify as religious “nones” and 10 percent identify with non-Christian faiths.  The prior “Generation X” (born 1965-1980) scored demonstrably higher 15 years ago in comparison at the same age reference point in a recent Gallup poll (click here).  The Church must painfully acknowledge our failure in reaching this “lost generation.”

THE MILLENNIAL GENERATION (born 1981-1996)

“Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.” (Daniel 12:3)

“The largest community that is being least affected by our modern church is the Millennial generation.  These are tomorrow’s decision makers, they will shape the future of the political and social society for coming generations.  Unfortunately, these people are leaving the church in scores, and many churches don’t know what to do about it.  They are completely ill-equipped to handle this problem.  Even churches that have tried to address the needs for the upcoming generation have missed the mark by attempting things like church makeovers or implementing rock concert-style worship services which are not what these generations of people are looking for.  And even worse, some churches are shrugging this generation of people off as unreachable.”  –Allie Anderson, author, Unscrambling the Millennial Paradox

Many believe the divide that separates Millennials from the previous generation is the biggest generation gap that this world has ever seen, because of the dramatic way in which the world has changed over the last 100 years, and especially over the last 20 years.  History provides literally no template for how to deal with the modern generation.  It is the advent of the Internet and computer technology that serves as a defining signature for their generation, thus the behavioral traits are not necessarily constrained to the United States but can be found in the modern world-at-large.

Anderson states further, “the communication gap is (due to) emergent technology.  The previous generation looks at the new generation and doesn’t know how to connect.  Previous generations could relate but now it is much more complicated.”

In so many ways this emergent technology has created a much more isolated society, especially among Millennials who have been raised on its utility.  Today, we are so wirelessly “connected” that it is not uncommon to see a family of four sitting in a restaurant immersed in four different screens oblivious to one another.  By our human DNA we are “wired” for community so to speak, but often we are separate while all sitting in the same room together.  Hence, we have the rise of social media and reality TV.  The desire is in us to connect, but the world has changed.

But it’s not just emergent technology.

“No generation prior to the Millennial generation was less parented.  We live in an age of single parent families, these kids need fathers, they need mothers, brothers, sisters, they need mentors.” -Dr. Thomas Horn

There is more.  As I heard one say, “In the modern era we frequently find that we have substituted friends and co-workers for “family.”  Today, the Church needs to step up and be that family and replace the absent aunts and uncles that traditionally surrounded people.”

“We are at a critical stage historically, spiritually, and socially, and that the Millennial generation is facing challenges that would have been completely foreign to other generations because of technology, change in how we assimilate information and communicate with one another. 

(A recent poll stated that 61% of professing U.S. Christians believed in at least one form of occult practice, i.e. spirited objects, reincarnation, astrology, etc.)

There’s also what our friend Russ Dizdar (deliverance minister) might call the ‘Black Awakening.’ We’ve never seen a time in American history where people have been so open to occult influences.  Much of the Church in the locally communities in America, some 60-70%, hold occult ideas.  We are now seeing it go to new places – legislation, infanticide, euthanasia of the elderly, the devaluation of what it means to be human.  What we are communicating to the Millennials is frightening frankly.” – Horn

ARE MILLENNIALS “UNREACHABLE?”

“who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved.” (Acts 11:14)

“No, but it’s ironic.  They (Millennials) have desires that stem from the fact they were made in the image of God.  They have been telling us what they want, it’s amazing.  They want a place where they belong, a place of community, a place where they can ‘activate.’  They are asking the church to tackle the hard issues.  The Church is sometimes unable to know how to tackle hard issues with love.  We must balance truth with love in the same message, they are ready to hear it Scripturally.  They are ready to transfer from milk to the meat of Scripture.  They are asking for things that are in fact very deep.” -Anderson

WHAT ARE MILLENNIALS LOOKING FOR?

“The Millennial generation is leaving partly because of the communication gap taking place.  Millennials will say they want a church that is ‘new,’ that is, focused on ‘new’ and leaving traditions behind.  Many churches have responded with church makeovers, coffee shops in the lobby and they don’t mean that kind of ‘new.’ They mean a church that is willing to activate and take it (Good News) to the streets. They want a church that is actively seeking relationships with people that gives them a community and a place to belong. One thing to remember is that these people can stream anything they want into their living room, on Sunday morning or anytime during the week. If they want it, it’s out there, and it’s available for streaming.  So, if they show up at your church, it’s because they are looking for an interpersonal relationship of some kind and that the most important thing to remember.  What they are truly look for, is a place where they belong.” -Anderson

“These kids (Millennials) need fathers, they need mothers, brothers, sisters, and they need mentors.  Really what is key to reaching this generation is becoming just that.  (Exercising) the spiritual gifts, being a friend, caring for these people.  Statistics will tell us that Millennials are leaving the church in droves, but where they are staying and where they are flourishing is because they have a very strong mentoring presence.  Once they believe someone loves them and cares about them, now they are open to your theology, to your deeper teachings, going from milk to meat of the Word, but not until then.  A big rock concert is not going to cut it.  A coffee shop in the middle of your church lobby is not what they are looking for primarily.  Now those are all fine furnishings, but they need mentors, friends, and everyday champions.” -Horn

Today, the Church has an unprecedented opportunity to reach a “lost generation.”  We are at a precipice, a moment in time that will determine.  Will this generation truly be lost?  Or will its harvest become a Great Awakening?

“Once the church makes a connection with this youngest generation in a lasting and meaningful way, they will become the biggest group of activists for the Great Commission this world has ever seen.” -Anderson

The true early Church was familial, a community of individuals each contributing in their own way, demonstrating the love of Christ and exercising the gifts of the Holy Spirit endowed to them.  It is the model we need to get back to and what the Millennials are screaming for, the sense of family.  Could this be you?

“Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14)

Sources: Dr. Thomas Horn, Allie Anderson, Steven Bancarz, Witness Lee

What were the teachings of the ancient church fathers who spoke about “six thousand years?”  Although their teachings were not authoritative as the Holy Scriptures, initially they all taught the same doctrine having been taught directly by the apostles and their disciples.  In that regard, then we can presume their apostolic teaching is correct.

In the chart below you can see that Polycarp and Ignatius were students of the apostle John after he vacated Patmos to live his final years in Ephesus.  In fact, it is documented that Polycarp assisted John in the planting of churches there for 20 years.  Irenaeus was born in Smyrna and became Polycarp’s disciple but attests to having met and spoken with John (“an old man”) on several occasions.  Justin Martyr, born in Nablus in 100AD, was also a disciple of Polycarp and Hippolytus was born in 170AD and was a student of Irenaeus. His Against Heresies is a key writing for the early church.

		The Apostles and their Disciples
Apostles	100AD		200AD		250AD
Peter, Paul &	Clement of Rome
John
John	Polycarp	Justin Martyr	Titian
		Irenaeus	Hippolytus
	Ignatius		Caius
Mark	?	Pantaenus	Clement of Alexandria	Origen	Gregory
Paul	?	Mathetes

Coupled with the findings of the Dead Sea Scrolls, today we also benefit greatly from discovery and translation of many ancient writings of the early church.  With the expertise of archaeologists and scholars trained to identify false or corrupt writings hijacked by early Gnostics we have the luxury of seeing the Bible validated in so many of these recent discoveries.

“And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.” (Genesis 2:2)

Dr. Ken Johnson is an author, scholar and ancient writings expert who performed research for Dead Seas Scrolls project and analysis on early Church documents.

“The idea that Jesus will return to set up His millennial kingdom in the Jewish year 6,000 is taught by several ancient church fathers.  The first coming of Jesus Christ was about 4,000 years after Creation.  These ancient church fathers taught the Second Coming would be about AD2000.  The most descriptive is the Epistle of Barnabas which devotes an entire chapter on this issue.  Remember, this does not mean they were correct; but if they believed and were taught this, it proves the ancient Christians were premillennial……With the calendars (primarily Hebrew calendar) being confused and inaccurate, we can’t say for certain when the year 6,000 will occur.”    Dr. Ken Johnson, 2016

Here is a compilation of quotes:

Barnabas, AD First Century

“Therefore, children, in six days, or in six thousand years, all the prophecies will be fulfilled.  Then it says, ‘He rested on the seventh day.’ This signifies at the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus, He will destroy the Antichrist, judge the ungodly, and change the sun, moon, and stars.  Then He will truly rest during the Millennial reign, which is the seventh day.” Epistle of Barnabas 15;7-9

Papias, AD First Century

“I was taught by the Apostle John, himself, that after the resurrection of the dead, Jesus will personally reign for one thousand years.” Papias, Fragment 6

Irenaeus, AD 180

“The day of the Lord is as a thousand years; and in six days created things were completed.  It is evident, therefore, they will come to an end in the six thousandth year.” Against Heresies 5.28

Justin Martyr, AD Second Century

“There will be a literal one-thousand-year reign of Christ.” Justin Martyr, Dialogue 81

Hippolytus, AD 205

“The Sabbath is a type of the future kingdom…For “a day with the Lord is as a thousand years.”  Since, then, in six days the Lord created all things, it follows that in six thousand years all will be fulfilled.” Fragment 2; Commentary on Daniel 2.4

Commodianus, AD 240

“We will be immortal when the six thousand years are completed.” Against the Gods of the Heathens 35

“Resurrection of the body will be when six thousand years are completed, and after one thousand years (millennial reign), the world will come to an end.” Against the God of the Heathens 80

Victorinus, AD 240

“Satan will be bound until the thousand years are finished; that is, after the sixth day.” Commentary on Revelation 20.1-3

Methodius, AD 290

“In the seventh millennium we will be immortal and truly celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles.” Ten Virgins 9.1

Lactantius, AD 304

“The sixth thousandth year is not yet complete.  When this number is complete, the consummation must take place.” Divine Institutes 7.14

Elijah Prophecies:  we have the Jewish perspective

The ancient Jewish historian, Josephus, stated that Elijah ran the school of the prophets and that Elijah’s outline of prophecy was written in what was called the “Epistle of Elijah” which still existed in his day (70 AD).  In the Talmud and the commentary, Tanna Debe Eliyyahu, it says that Elijah taught that there would be six thousand years of human history and then the establishment of a one-thousand-year Messianic Kingdom. The six-thousand years would be divided into three ages of two thousand years each. The first age is the “Age of Chaos,” the second is the “Age of Torah,” and the third is the “Messianic Age.” This temporary Messianic age must be the Church Age because what follows is a one-thousand-year Messianic Kingdom.

It is traditional Jewish understanding that the Jewish Messiah would come 4,000 years after the creation of Adam and Eve.  Here is such an interesting quote:

“‘The Tanna debe Eliyyahu teaches: The world is to exist six thousand years. In the first two thousand there was desolation; [i.e. no Torah. It is a tradition that Abraham was fifty-two years old when he began to convert men to the worship of the true God; from Adam until then, two thousand years elapsed] two thousand years the Torah flourished; and the next two thousand years is the Messianic era, [i.e. Messiah will come within that period] but through our many iniquities all these years have been lost. [He should have come at the beginning of the last two thousand years; the delay is due to our sins.]'”  Talmud in Sanhedrin 97

“After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.” (Hosea 6:2)

Ancient Book of Enoch

The Holy Spirit inspired Jude to quote Enoch for a reason.  It is an ancient book that is believed to have been written approximately 3000 B.C. and kept by Noah.  Is not and never was intended as canon, but today many in the church discard the book as a historical reference due to its details on the interactions of the fallen angels with human women resulting in the Nephilim (Genesis 6).  The Book of Enoch opens by addressing those in the Tribulation period.  It contains numerous prophecies about the flood and fire judgments, and the two comings of the Messiah.  It teaches that the Messiah is the Son of God and that He will shed His blood to redeem us, even the exact generation it would occur!

For example, the book prophesies that the Messiah would be in the seventieth generation from Enoch:

“The one who fixes everything will be the seventieth generation not that everything will be accomplished in the seventieth generation.” Enoch 10

And, if you review the genealogy of Jesus Christ in Luke 3:23-38 and count the generations from Enoch forward you will see that He was the 70^th generation counted.

Enoch wrote 48 prophecies that were completely fulfilled in both the Old and New Testaments and you can find these easily online.  But, in addition he also prophesied in Enoch 91-93 that there would be a total of 7,000 years of history before the earth would end (prior to a “new heaven and a new earth” found in Revelation 21).

“For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.” (Psalm 90:4)

“But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” (2nd Peter 3:8)

SO, SINCE CREATION WHERE ARE WE TODAY ON THE CALENDAR?

On September 30 Rosh Hashana celebrated the beginning of the new year of 5780 AM on the Jewish calendar. The many adherents to this calendar may not realize that this year stems from Seder Olam Rabbah, a late Tannaitic work written in 169 A.D.  Concurring with rabbinic instruction it is speculated by some that the dates were changed to obfuscate the interpretation of Daniel 9:24-27 which perfectly translates to the date and year of Christ’s crucifixion in 32 A.D.  To this day, Jewish rabbis will not share these verses of Daniel or discuss its interpretation.

“AM” means Anno Mundi, or from the first day of Creation.  That would mean that Creation began on Saturday evening, October 7, 3761 B.C. and which does not correlate with academic historical dating.  There is wide consensus and acceptance that there is a discrepancy based on rabbinic dating of time between the destruction of the First Temple and Second Temple as well dating of certain Persian kings after Cyrus.  On average the discrepancy is believed by scholars and academicians to be in the range of 160-240 years.

When will the “sixth day” begin?  Twenty- five years ago Christian archaeologist and pastor Dr. Grant Jeffrey, like others at that time, estimated it was calculated to end between 1975 A.D. and 2075 A.D.

However, given the more recent discoveries, the range has now narrowed.

“With the calendars being confused and inaccurate, we can’t say for certain when the year 6,000 will occur.  An approximate range would be between the years AD 2030 and 2067, although it could occur even earlier.”  Dr. Ken Johnson

“Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.  Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.”  (Proverbs 30:5,6)

Sources: Dr. Ken Johnson, Dr. Grant Jeffrey, Dr. Randall Price

In several verses the Bible tells us that the Old Testament was given as an example for us.  The story of ancient Jericho serves as such an ensample and it points to the five differing aspects of God’s grace that would be revealed to us in the New Testament.

There was something very strategic about Jericho.  When God first brought Israel up out of the Wilderness it was the first thing they saw across the valley after crossing the Jordan River into the Promised Land.  It was a formidable and evil obstruction to their taking possession of the Land.

Lexham Bible Dictionary: Jericho–Manner of Jericho’s Destruction.  The wall of the final Bronze Age city of Jericho is referred to as a cyclopean wall that encapsulates the city and its construction dates to Middle Bronze III around 1600 B.C.

Wikipedia estimates that Jericho was first constructed around 8000 B.C. based on carbon dating, although that dating system has been proven to be unreliable.  You can find other sources, but regardless, there is general consensus that this ancient city was antediluvian in its earliest construct.  Why are you sharing this?

“Cyclopean” masonry by almost any source is a reference to rare megalithic architecture believed to have been built by ancient or mythical giants. For those who adhere to the literal interpretation of the Bible, that clearly points to the “giants” or the Nephilim we find in Genesis 6:1-5. The non-canonical accounts found in the Books of Enoch and Jasher lend further testimony to this interpretation.  There are several other examples of cyclopean masonry that have been discovered, including Greece, Malta, Peru.  In each of these sites there is massive ancient stone architecture that essentially could not be replicated today even with our advanced technology.

Okay, whether I concur with the literal interpretation of Genesis 6 or not, what does this have to do with God’s grace?

We all know this story.  By the Lord’s instruction, after marching around the walls of Jericho for six days on the seventh day they repeated the procession and then all the Israelites shouted and the walls of the city came tumbling down, verified by modern archaeology.

The story of Jericho is told in Joshua 6:1-27 and is where we learn about the true inhabitants of ancient Jericho.  From all accounts, Jericho was a demonic stronghold. In Verse 18 God says the city is “accursed” including all that were in it except for Rahab and her family.

Recent textual discoveries in ancient Ugarit confirm the Scripture record of centuries filled with idolatry, sodomy, bestiality, sorcery, and child sacrifice in Jericho. Consequently, each generation had polluted the next with idolatry, perversion, and blood.

“And the Lord said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour.” (Joshua 6:2)

According to Biblical scholars, “the mighty men” is a reference to the Gibborim in Hebrew. This phrasing is derived from the exact same word that Moses used in Genesis 6:4 to signify the “giants.” Thus, they were counted as detestable before the Lord and their evil was destroyed and burned.

 “Accursed”: Strongs #H 02764, “cherem”, meaning “devoted, dedicated, utterly destroyed, (or appointed to) utter destruction.”

In all other Caananite conquests the Israelites were allowed spoils, but in Joshua 6:17-19 they were specifically told not to take any personal possessions from Jericho, not even grains.  Why?  Because the city and everything in it was cursed, so they could not touch anything or take anything out.  Objects can retain demonic power and God wanted to keep them out of His people Israel.

In the next chapter (7) of Joshua, we are reminded of Achan’s sin whereby he took spoils of the “accursed things” and hid a Babylonian garment, 200 shekels of silver, and 50 shekels of gold under his tent.  Not only did he pay with his life for this sin but so did his entire family, and his sin had earlier cost the lives of 36 Israelites (verse 5) who had gone up against the men of Ai.

In the New Testament, Paul also says that if you want God to walk among you, you must put away the unclean things.  “What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God.  As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord.  Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” (2^nd Corinthians 6:16-17)

• It is important to remember that you are not an island. What you bring home effects your family and children.  That that is thought to be secret to your family is NOT a secret in hell or the kingdom of darkness.  Things that are connected to the kingdom of darkness become a conduit for evil to come in. 

• Because of Achan men, women, and children died. It is important to remember that there are consequences of sin that go beyond YOU! 

It seems sanctification is never spoken of anymore.  Instead, the “three second salvation” is the desired transaction for most with little reflection on the ugliness of sin that Christ paid for on the Cross.  More often, you will discover that those who consecrate themselves before the Lord experience greater levels of the power of God in their lives.

Thirty-five years ago, I was fascinated with astrology.  Then upon becoming a born-again believer I remember distinctly how the Holy Spirit came in and told me to “destroy all of your astrology books, throw them out of this house and never look at them again.”  Unbeknownst to me, it was my Jericho!  I obeyed the Lord and threw those materials out and have never looked back (nor wanted to look back).  For when the Holy Spirit comes into your spiritual house and rearranges things, He often casts things out for they cannot be in the same place as Him.

The Five Aspects of Gods’ grace:

Unmerited Favor.  Too many people stop right here, it is our “warm and fuzzy.”  Jesus Christ DID DIE FOR YOU while you were a sinner and it is great to acknowledge this critical truth.  But it was never intended to simply be an intellectual observation! ”But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) 

Christ wants you to ENTER into Saving Grace.   He is your Savior, let Him save you!  Yield to the Holy Spirit and to the ugliness of your sin.  There are so many people today who are still in love with their sin without proper repentance.  They make excuses for it and refer back to Unmerited Favor! For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8)

Transforming Grace. Once we are saved a transformation takes place where we are transformed from what we were to who we should be in Christ. “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:1-2)

Empowering Grace. This is where the Church needs to be, taking down Jerichos! “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.  For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, (2^nd Corinthians 10:3-5)

We are reminded that in Acts 5:15-16 Peter reached a point in empowering grace that created a field of the Kingdom around him so that if you were in his proximity (“the shadow of Peter passing by) your sickness or malady was healed.  We are so far away from that today!

Enduring Grace.   Like Paul, we need to finish the race with our eyes fixed on Christ.  “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1)

All of us have spiritual strongholds that gives the enemy access to mess with us.  When God transforms us by grace, He enables us to knock down these strongholds.  Many are lies or hurts received as a child. “I am ugly, dumb, uneducated. I can’t do anything right.” Or someone violated our trust, possibly a victim of rape or incest.  “It’s your fault.” Divorce, “you caused it.” Because a demon found an opportunity to create a lie and use this as a base of operation to limit your life, even as a Christian, it is the Holy Spirit giving us empowering authority to call out and cast down these strongholds. 

I encourage you by the authority of Jesus Christ to call out your stronghold as a lie and to cast it down.  Loose the Word of God on your stronghold and watch the walls of your Jericho tumble down!

Sources: Dr. Chuck Missler, Dr. Michael Lake, Chuck Davis

There is a major change taking place in the world today that is mostly unrecognized by the Church.  The “New Age” is being replaced by a new global movement that expresses itself in three primary ways. It is the “Age of Re-Enchantment” that celebrates “Oneness.”  Why should this be important to the Church?

“The fact remains that as the garments of Christianity are culturally discarded, a new wardrobe is being fashioned from an ancient loom.”  Carl Teichrib, Game of Gods: The Temple of Man in the Age of Re-Enchantment

Seeing past the hype, the rumors, the clickbait, and the sensational, it is important for Christians to stay informed about the direction of culture/society so that we do not become gullible participants and our churches do not succumb to world views which stand in conflict with the Bible.  It is important for us to ask, what is the ”heart of the issue” in order that we can formulate a Biblical response.

“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” (2^nd Corinthians 5:20)

TWO PRIMARY VIEWS OF REALITY

The primary duel is “Two-ism” vs. “One-ism” as it relates to God and nature.  This impacts so many things: human meaning, philosophy, law, religion, political theory, law, ethics, economics, gender and sexuality, views of nature, and technology.  Is reality “Two” or “One?”

“If God and nature make up reality, then all is two, and everything is either Creator or creature.  On the other hand, if the universe is all there is, then all is one.”   Peter Jones, The Other Worldview.

Materialism and atheism even fit under this “One-ism.” Why?  Because they say, ‘man is all there is, there is no separation.’ However, the Bible tells us very differently that God is holy, distinct and separate from His creation.

“For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.  He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.  For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him,  and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.” (Colossians 1:16-21)

SO, WHAT DOES “ONENESS” LOOK LIKE?

Oneness says we are all one, all part of the creation and universe, it is neo-paganism.  Bowing ourselves before nature, believing there is nothing higher than mankind, it is readily seen through different lens:

• Eastern Religions: Reality is One; we are returning to the All.
• Classic & Neo-Paganism: Nature is the embodiment of divinity. Humanity and nature are One.
• Occult: Through ritual mankind acts upon and within the All.
• Cosmic Humanism: Collective humanity is the evolutionary agency of cosmic divinity.
• Secular Humanism: Man is the measure of all things. Nature is all there is.  Nothing exists outside of nature.

In the West we see this every day in one form or another.  What do their adherents say?

• We cannot imagine a God outside of creation, and thus refuse to acknowledge His position.
• We cannot fathom a God whose existence is not tied to natural process, therefore nature is divine.
• We cannot comprehend a God whose separateness (holiness) levels-out humanity before Him: kings, popes, princes, paupers- “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
• Therefore: We bend our knees to what is created and choose our own spirituality. Ours is an experience of spiritual connection, a divine destiny with a material world.
• We will determine our destiny, humanity declaring ourselves to be Masters.

In their hearts and minds, this is an acceptable and desirable alternative to Jesus Christ.

ISN’T THIS JUST THE NEW AGE MOVEMENT?

The New Age tended to focus on Self– self-realization, self-actualization, self-empowerment, awakening to your Divine Self.

• Today this is viewed as personally shallow and without deeper context; a materialist form of spirituality

Today, Re-Enchantment focuses on the We: The Community of All- our meaning is found in the universal; we are in communion with nature and the super-natural, we are one cosmic family.  Self is absorbed into a meaningful experience of purpose and wholeness.

• Viewed as social and communal, grounded in ancient wisdom, and imbuing a sense of magic: We feel our Oneness.
• It is the New Spirituality.

Today in the West, our culture has changed, Christendom has been rejected in the media, in our classrooms, in our laws and in the political debate.  What the “world” speaks today is paganism, the ancient wisdom.  Today we see Jesus Christ being rejected and the embrace of Re-Enchantment and Oneness instead.  They pursue the “divinity of nature” (see Romans 1:25) and the “divinity of man” (see Genesis 3:5).  It is the essence of paganism.

At the Miller Bible College in Saskatchewan, there is a modular lecture series entitled “Secular Pagan Trends” that uses this chronological chart:

EPOCHS OF WESTERN THOUGHT
Primitive Pagansim (up to 500 AD)	Christendom (500-1700)
Greek, Roman, Barbarian	Church influences State & culture
Nature personified/deified	Christian institutions & ethics
God Men as rulers	God’s word applied in life
Modernism (1700-1960s)	Postmodernism (1960s-2000)
Omnipotence of human reason	Reject Christianity & Materialism
Materialism & Science are king	No absolutes, no framework
Marxism & Socialism	Questions, but no answers
Church-State separation	Vacuum of meaning & purpose
Re-Enchantment (2000- today)
Age of Oneness, “to be as God”
Green Movement, worship the creation
Transhumanism, homo sapien 2.0 a “better” man
Artificial Intelligence, emerging techno-pagans
World Federalist Movement, globalists

Today we ask, what is truth? What is real? Am I a man or a woman? I don’t know.  That is the post-modern mindset that no longer accepts the norms and is in a vacuum of thought.  Re-Enchantment fills that void.  It says, “turn your eyes back to creation, your purpose and meaning back to earth, your Mother, your spirituality.”  It is paganism.

Whether we like it or not, we have family members, relatives, friends and acquaintances who embrace this “oneness” spiritual movement.  We are not untouched by the challenges the world imposes upon us.

What you may consider marginal is now mainstream.  What you consider “counterculture” is now in the main.  We as the Church are now the “counterculture.”  We must be Christ’s ambassadors in this new culture! 

A couple of years ago I preached a sermon on being an ambassador for our King.  Just as an ambassador is a legal representative of a king (or queen or prime minister) in a foreign country likewise, we represent our King wherever we are as a “sojourner on earth” (Psalm 119:19) as our “citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20).  As ambassadors we are to know our King’s power and position, and represent His interests, not our own.  We are to understand the customs and culture of the “foreign land” we are in, but you are set apart from it.  And we are to effectively communicate our King’s message while we are there.

It is interesting that after Jesus ascended to heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father, not very long afterwards the Jews were dispersed from the Land and scattered throughout the world.  Likewise, the Church also departed from Israel not long after the Ascension as the Gospel was taken to the Gentile nations.   Jehovah is a God of restoration and one cannot help but note that trends are reverting back to the old.  Just as God promised, He has brought Israel back to the Land.  And now we see that the world is reverting to paganism, the so-called ancient wisdom.  The question becomes, will the Church revert back to its original roots?

How best to be an ambassador for God?  No finer example can be found than in Acts 17:16-32 where we find Paul at Mars Hill in Athens encountering the trendsetters of his day.  He walked the streets and studied their pagan culture to understand their worldview.   It is from here that He shares the gospel, the King’s message.   In verse 17 it says he engaged both Jews and Gentiles in the marketplace.  In verses 22-23 he speaks about the “Unknown God.”  The response in verse 32 tells us that some mocked him, and others wanted to hear more.  The Bible tells us that some plant, some water, “but it is God who brings the increase.” (1^st Corinthians 3:6-9)

This blog is now subscribed on six different continents, some in Asia and Africa may have a slightly different perception of this message.  But for those of us who live in the West, I submit to you as you look up and out the window, you are looking at your Mars Hill today.

The “Oneness” spiritual movement has only one destination, it is the One World Government the Bible tells us is coming.  Therefore, let us be effective ambassadors for Christ today, “as though God were making an appeal through us.”

I want to acknowledge and thank Canadian author and researcher Carl Teichrib for content reflected in this article.

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