Dragons, Deception and Depression

I’ve got three separate things on my mind, and it all needs to fit in one article. Hopefully, I won’t make this too long.

There are two seven-headed beasts in Revelation, and we always focus on the one that we refer to as ‘The Beast’. But, what about that dragon?

I’m getting more comments and email about deception, and it seems to center around the growth of cult activity. And, it’s as bizarre as it is horrifying.

Ray Comfort came out with a new video, ‘Exit’. A reader sent me a link, and it seems like this is a good time to talk about this.

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Dragons, Deception and Depression

Three distinctly separate ideas to fit into one post?

I’m not sure that I’ll be able to do all of these ideas justice in under a thousand words. But, let’s see if I’m up to it.

( EDIT: I guess not. )

Dragons

I live in a part of the world where dragons play a different role in culture, than elsewhere. It is a part of the religion here. They are on every temple Taiwan, except for the Buddhist temples. And yes, the operative word is temple.

Living in Taiwan is like turning back time and living the words of Paul. They offer food to idols. Demon-possessed spirit channelers are everywhere on this tiny island. There are people on street corners, offering ways to improve your fortune. And, I’ve heard many stories of people rescued from demon possession here.

In fact, our little Baptist church in Taipei has had to cast more than one demon out of someone, while I have been here.

If you want to see and feel the demonic at work, come to Taiwan. I have been around the world. I have traveled far and wide, but I have never experienced what I’ve experienced here. And, Taiwan is the one place in the world that has truly preserved authentic Chinese culture.

Why do demons play such a big role among the Chinese?

I don’t know, other than to say that the source of this problem might lie in how slow Christianity was, in coming to China. And, some of that ‘Christianity’ was corrupted by the Catholics.

All of that is speculation.

What is NOT speculation is the work that China is doing right now, to enable the Antichrist to control the world. No, they aren’t doing this on purpose, but what China is dong right now, will be used by the Beast System to rule the world.

Here is the video that inspired me to say all that:

WeChat: The App That’s Always Watching You | China Uncensored

YouTube shortlink: https://youtu.be/DMHwVU-8BHM

What China is doing, is creating a system where you cannot buy or sell, if they do not want you to. There’s no ‘Mark of the Beast’ involved, at least not yet. But, they are making progress in the efficient control of their population.

Eventually, China will perfect that control and hand it over to The Beast.

Now, here is where the ‘dragon’ comes in. When you read Revelation 12 and 13, you see TWO beasts with seven heads, ten horns and ten crowns. The only difference between the two are:

  • One is a dragon, and the other is an amalgamation of different animals.
  • The dragon is red, the other is not.
  • The dragon is Satan. The Beast is not.
  • The dragon is cast out of heaven, and the Beast ascends out of the sea.

So, here’s the question in my mind:

Is there a connection to China, anywhere in this?

Remember that The Dragon is Satan, so you cannot call China ‘The Dragon’. But, it would seem to me that Satan is the one ‘calling the shots’ in China. And, the amount of demonic activity in China – or, at least in my corner of it – is startling.

Also, China doesn’t seem to be anywhere in prophecy, other than this mention of, ‘The Kings of the East’, which could be anyone. Having said that, a lack of mention is NOT proof that anything significant is happening.

Again, let me emphasize that ‘The Dragon’ CANNOT be a direct reference to China. The Bible specifically identifies ‘The Dragon’ as being Satan.

Deception

Some of you have been wondering at my ‘obsession’ with The Flat Earth Society. In fact, I recently received an email from someone expressing concern that I was becoming ‘obsessed’.

Please allow me to assure you that this is not some idle obsession. And, I have picked The Flat Earth Society as representative of a kind of deception. A better word might be ‘cognitive defect’. The Bible refers to it as ‘willful blindness’.

Whatever you wish to call it, a choice is made. A choice is made to believe an idea. A choice is made to deliberately ignore any and all evidence that disagrees with the idea that they have chosen. And, the choice is always to believe a lie.

Of course, some will call my passionate belief in Jesus Christ to be the same kind of ‘choice’, and I understand how those who are not Christian would think like that. I certainly reject any and all ‘evidence’ attempting to prove that Jesus wasn’t who He said that He was.

The fact that our detractors have been unable to prove Christ wrong, is nice – but, not necessary. True Christians will never, ever accept anything that disagrees with the diety of Christ, or the fact that He died and rose again, for our sins.

So, laying that aside, why am I so focused on The Flat Earth Society?

Well, it was pretty much an accident. In fact, here’s where I had my ‘accident’:

Escaping the Flat Earth Society
http://www.omegashock.com/2015/11/20/escaping-the-flat-earth-society/

That was almost two years ago, and I had not originally intended for this to be an issue about The Flat Earth Society. It was intended to be just an example of a kind of mentality. That ‘cognitive defect’.

Unfortunately, what I uncovered was horrifying. It’s a growing cult that seeks to exclude ANY evidence that proves them wrong. ANYTHING that disagrees with this foul lie, is discarded. Worse, those who are against Christianity are using this to mock faith in Jesus Christ.

And, it’s a cult. Here’s an article that I uncovered yesterday:

https://flatearthisacult.wordpress.com/

When you go through the evidence that the author provides, it’s clear that belief in a Flat Earth is a true cult in every sense.

Oh, and there’s a Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/flatearthcult/

Again, I did not write that original article to criticize The Flat Earth cult. My goal was to expose a kind of thinking that was common – a cognitive defect that so many exhibit.

In fact, here is what I said:

Do you believe that…

…there’s a secret Jewish conspiracy of Khazars?

…Islam worships the same god as Christianity?

…Islam is a religion of peace?

…World Trade Center Building Seven collapsed due to terrorism?

…the Jesuits are merely the ‘intellectual’ arm of the Catholic Church?

…Christianity and Evolution are compatible?

…all Christians will be whisked away, before the Antichrist comes?

…the economy is doing great, and our financial future is bright?

…the Bible cannot possibly be true? (I could barely write that!)

…Israel is the cause of all the conflict in the Middle East?

…the Earth is flat?

If you believe ANY of those, YOU are a Flat Earther. I could throw up all kinds of evidence to disprove ALL of that, but it won’t matter to you. You believe what you believe, and you do not want to be confused with the facts.

Some of that is more ‘Flat Earther’ than others, but the point is the same:

If you refuse absolute proof, you suffer from a cognitive defect.

If I see that in you, I will call you a Flat Earther. God will call you willfully blind. You can ignore what I think, but you will NOT be able to ignore what God thinks.

You must stop being willfully blind. You must. The price for this foolishness will eventually be your life, and even your soul.

Depression

I have known the anguish, grief and soul crushing weight of depression for probably 30 years. It didn’t begin as bad as it is now, and I’m not completely certain WHEN it began.

Nor am I certain of the direct cause for this. Part of it is due to Hashimoto’s Disease. Part might be the ravages of my near-death by pneumonia, as a teenager. Another part might come from the experience of being bullied in elementary school. And, there are other injuries and events that might also be the cause. But, there is one cause, that I know without question:

God.

I was saved at the ripe old age of six, and then… on a school bus headed home, I dedicated my life to serving God, in whatever way the He would choose. I was 12 years old, and decades later, when I cried out to God, to relieve me of this affliction, He asked me if this commitment was still true.

It was. It still is. I am content.

Just as Paul asked the Lord three times, to relieve him of his affliction, I have done pretty much the same. And, the Lord has given me the same answer. And, since God is not fickle or capricious… since God suffers with us… since God loves us so much that He sent His Son to die for us… since God promised to never lay a burden upon us that we couldn’t carry…

…well, I know that my condition is necessary.

I also know that God has given me a tremendous number of gifts and talents. And, such ‘wealth’ can lead someone to arrogance and pride. And, I believe that I need my difficulty to keep me from that sin, so that I can use what God has given me, for His glory and His purpose.

Why do I say all this?

Well, BigJon – in last week’s comment section – shared a link to Ray Comfort’s new movie:

EXIT: The Appeal of Suicide – YouTube

YouTube shortlink: https://youtu.be/-3kHZPjz654

This is a good movie, but I was hoping that it would be more – since it included the words ‘The Appeal of Suicide’. There might be reasons for why Ray didn’t include everything about why people commit suicide. Maybe he just thought that what was included here, was the most important.

What I do know, is that this movie misses the mark a bit. It leaves out what I know, and maybe this is the opportunity for me to share my own thoughts on why someone like myself would commit suicide.

And no, I have no urge to commit suicide. I have no desire to commit suicide. I have no need to commit suicide. And, I have never attempted or planned to commit suicide. Ever.

Why?

I have a job to do. I have a purpose. And, I would never lay that job or purpose down for any reason other than God’s call for me to ‘down tools’ and go home.

To put it another way:

If I should wind up dead, and it looks like suicide… it’s murder.

Period.

End of statement.

Suicide is a sin, and I would never do that. Ever. I would rather… er …die, than commit suicide.

Having said that, this crushing burden of depression makes me look forward to the day when I can say that I have run my race and finished well. But, back to the movie.

It didn’t actually address the core reason for suicide. Yes, there are a lot of reasons for why people kill themselves, and lots of them are very, very short-sighted. This movie deals with some of those shallow and short-sighted reasons very well.

But, there are those of us, like myself, that have suffered chronic depression for decades. It doesn’t end. It won’t end. It will go on forever. Any relief is temporary, and you know that it will be back, weighing you down, crushing you with a burden that barely lets you breathe.

I get that, since I live it every single day. I know the pain of depression at the very core of my being. I know the absolute struggle to keep going, while being beset with feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, despair, heart ache, powerlessness, grief and an utter longing for it all to end.

And then, add to that the knowledge that no one understands. No one. Those who think that they do, without having lived what we live, are kidding themselves and only adding to our pain.

Whatever bouts of depression that you might have had, might help you understand a little. But, it is NOTHING compared to the certainty that we have, that it will never end.

Please understand the finality of this. Those of us who suffer chronic depression, understand that this is our life, and that it will never end. And please, I know the kind hearts of those who try to help, and I appreciate the kindness of those who try to give us advice. But, let me emphasize that we have literally tried everything.

Expecting us to just force ourselves out of this, is cruel. Yes, that word is used correctly: CRUEL. You only add to the pain, by demanding that the person stop suffering. And, I am tired of seeing this in our churches.

There are some truly cold hearts, abusing those who suffer.

Now, if you are like me, suffering this terrible scourge, welcome to the club. We understand. We ‘get it’, and we wish that we didnt’. In fact, we don’t want ANYONE to ‘get it’ – not even our worst enemies. The last thing that we want, is for someone to understand – since the only way to truly understand, is to experience it, first hand. And, this might be the reason why this movie ‘misses the mark’.

I truly and absolutely understand suicide. It’s the ultimate anesthetic. Nothing kills the pain more effectively. Nothing. Everything else wears off and dumps the burden of this life right back on you.

The pain always comes back. Always.

You will celebrate those moments when there are times of relief. But, you know that it will be back. And, the only thing that keeps you going forward is a belief that there is a purpose in all of this.

 

Again, let me repeat that God is good. He KNOWS what you are going through, and He suffers along with you. He doesn’t put this on us – and Himself – for no reason.

God has a purpose for your suffering. There’s a reason, and it’s a good one. You might not know what that reason is, but it’s real. One day, when you are in heaven, you’ll understand why.

For myself, I know that I need this depression. I accept it. Those of you who have been blessed by these articles here, on Omega Shock, can thank the crushing depression that keeps me rooted in this chair, instead of chasing rainbows.

These irrational feelings of grief and hopelessness have kept me from using my talents for personal gain, and have kept me focused on my purpose – seeking to share the gospel and bless the Body of Christ. So, do not be concerned about me, or even feel sorry for my condition.

I am greatly blessed.

I know the Joy of the Lord.

It keeps me going.

The Joy of the Lord isn’t about being happy in this life. It’s about knowing that God is good. That all things work together for His purpose. That you are loved by God. That you cannot fail, as long as you strive to love and serve Him, with all that you have.

So yes, I’ve suffered terribly. I know the depths of chronic depression better than anyone that I know. I’ve struggled for decades. But, looking back on those decades, I can honestly say:

I would change nothing.

For those of you who suffer with me, my hope is that you will one day be able to say the same thing, from the heart. If you cannot do that now, I understand. It takes time. But, I am living proof that this day will come, if you give it that time.

When I first came to Taiwan, I was planning to begin a ministry that would help those brothers and sisters who suffer depression. My goal was also to teach others who did not suffer, to help those who did.

For me, the guiding principle is found in this verse:

…and weep with them that weep.

 – Romans 12:15b

I do not understand why our love has grown so cold, that we can no longer bear each other’s burdens. Our churches are no longer places where the injured can find rest. Worse, our churches afflict the afflicted.

I am currently reading through the Book of Job, and I see an evil in our churches that is just like the ‘friends’ who afflicted poor Job. They were vile and horrifying in their attacks, and I have seen many ‘christians’ do what they did. To me and to others.

Do not be the ‘friends’ of Job.

The day is coming, when all too many will suffer overwhelming grief. And, it will come, in part, because of the coldness in our hearts.

Thank you, BigJon. I wasn’t expecting to write all that, when I clicked the link to that video.

 

I truly hope that you’ll be ready for this

A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.Proverbs 22:3

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If you find a flaw in my reasoning, have a question, or wish to add your own viewpoint, leave a comment on the website. Your input is truly welcome.

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