While it is commendable to quote scriptures, particularly to highlight the matter of accountability, the contributor of 'Payback time ...' failed to direct honest-hearted ones on the straight and narrow path as revealed in the Holy Writings (Bible).

It is not for naught that the scriptures mention that the entire world is being deceived by a malevolent force spearheaded by Satan, this is borne out at Revelation 12:9, 13:4, 8; 1 John 2:17, 1 John 5:19, etc. All honest-hearted persons need to be aware that certain fundamental truths essential for salvation as taught by scripture have been substituted by Neo-platonic, pagan-influenced fallacies. The very validity of the Bible has been questioned due to incorrect renderings in certain Bible translations in order to lend support to one such fallacy. Compare 1 John 5:7, Revelation 1:11 and 1 Timothy 3:16 in the KJV vs NIV for instance.

Christ came to establish truth and his subsequent condemnation of the Pharisees and Sadducees (John 18:37, John 8:44, Matthew 16:1-4) reinforced the fact that they were misleading the masses then, as the established church is doing today.

Fallacies

This is reminiscent of the falsehood taught by the Church in the dark ages when it ignored the Bible and agreed with philosophers re the shape of the Earth and it being the centre of the universe. Historian William Manchester centuries later wrote that 'the world was (believed to be) an immovable disk around which the sun revolved, and ... the rest of the cosmos comprised heaven, which lay dreamily above the skies, inhabited by cherubs, and hell, flaming deep beneath the European soil. Everyone believed, indeed knew, that. (William Manchester, A World Lit Only by Fire, 1993, p. 89).

Scientists like Copernicus and Galileo were ostracised and accused of apostasy when they deduced otherwise. But the Bible had it right all along as shown at Isaiah 40:22: 'There is One who is dwelling above the circle of the Earth.' In fact, the Bible proved to be well ahead of its time in key concepts. For example, Job 26:7 describes God hanging the Earth 'on nothing'. This was written thousands of years before physicist and astronomer Isaac Newton discovered the invisible laws of gravity that showed the Earth truly is suspended 'on nothing'.

Truth

Truth is God's Word as recorded in the Bible (John 17:17, Psalm 119:160). Those who want to live must follow the One of whom Deuteronomy 18:18, 19 and supported by John 3: 35-36, 6:14, 7:40; Acts 3:19- 23 refer to. Yes, Jesus Christ, was sent by Almighty God (John 8:42) and spoke ONLY what he was told to (John 5:30, 12:49). As Adam was the father of all mankind, Jesus is the father of all who benefit eternally from his sacrificial death (1 Corinthians 15:45, Romans 5:12, 6:23). This is not to be confused though with the One who is Creator of all things (including Jesus Himself (Revelation 3:14, Colossians 1:15, Proverbs 8:22-31, Galatians 4:14) and who CANNOT DIE (Revelation 4:10, 11).

Cleansed earth

We bend our knees and do obeisance to Christ as God's appointed King (Luke 1:31-33) who will rule over a cleansed Earth (Philippians 2:5-8) and who existed in heaven prior to his assignment on earth (Micah 5:2, John 17: 24, 25). But, we worship ONLY the Father of all things, Almighty God, Yahweh/ Jehovah (Matthew 4:10, Psalm 83:18, Exodus 6:3).

Those who refuse to render exclusive devotion (Deuteronomy 6:4) to Almighty God)whom we approach in the name of his Son) then Jesus will say to them what is recorded at Matthew 7:21-23.

I end with Revelation 21:8, which says: "But as for the cowards and those without faith and those who are disgusting in their filth and murderers and fornicators and those practising spiritism and idolaters and all the liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulphur. This means the second death."

I am, etc.

True Truthseeker

mogill_cham@msn.com.

'But as for the cowards and those without faith and those who are disgusting in their filth and murderers and fornicators ... their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulphur. This means the second death'.