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Why do the Heathen Rage? These essays were written over a period of thirty years and originally appeared in more than sixty newspapers nationwide. The author, who chose to remain anonymous, was a prominent Christian businessman in the Atlanta area. He entitled his columns "Why do the Heathen Rage?" and used this question from Psalm 2 and Acts 4:25 as a basis to comment on the events of the day. He believed that Psalm 1 promised blessings to the faithful in Christ, but Psalm 2 and Acts 4:25 asked a critical question and answered it with a prophecy of cursings and judgments upon the heathen; those who rebelled against the laws of God. Truly a prophet in his own time, the author received thousands of letters from his readers. However, at times, newspapers would refuse to print his column or prefer to edit it because of his outspoken condemnation of evil in government, literature and individuals who supported unbiblical practices.
Bob Hill, Editor Evangelical Review  TOPICAL INDEX
Government / Rulers APRIL 23, 1966 In the 2nd Psalm God tells us the Heathen are "people who imagine a vain thing, kings and rulers who set themselves to break The Bands and cast away The Cords" of restraint of God's Laws and Commandments. In Acts 4:25 the disciples of Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, lifted up their voices in prayer to God, acknowledging the fulfillment of the prophecy of the 2nd Psalm in their own observation and experience as they had witnessed the death of Christ at the hands of the religious and secular leaders and rulers who were now threatening them. Persecutions among the heathen were supported under the pretense that Christians brought in new gods. The persecutions under the Roman Catholics were under the pretext of the Protestants introducing heresies into the Church. However, does any know of an instance, among mankind, of rulers persecuting "religion itself?" Well, we submit that the "powers that be" in this great land are doing that very thing today! The ruling and edicts of our Supreme Court is openly and avowedly against: "Prayer," the greatest key to every blessing -- that is, in so far as our children and young people in the public schools! Surely the Almighty did not speak in vain when He said a number of times in His Word of supposedly His people: "Worse than the heathen!" We certainly should not put all the blame on the Supreme Court! Look to yourselves, as well as the President, the Senators, the Congressmen, the Judges, etc., great numbers of whom either support the High Court, or are more or less indifferent to the whole matter! Is not the great power of the Army, Air Force, Navy, F.B.I., etc., standing by, if needed, to fight to enforce the decrees to prevent prayer in our public schools:
The heathen had a reason for persecuting. The Catholics had a reason for their persecutions. We asked if any knew of an instance, among mankind, of rulers persecuting religion itself: "Prayer," the greatest key to every blessing Maybe we also have a "first" -- or a "scoop" as I think they say -- in another matter: Does any know of any civilized or enlightened people of history that allowed her citizens to go about in public in near nakedness? Has not that always been reserved for the pagans, savages, and benighted people who sexually live more or less as dogs and the beasts that perish? But let us talk of a remedy. The Scriptures in Luke 8.27, etc., tells us: "When Jesus went forth to land, there met Him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and wore no clothes . . . !" Read on and you will find that after Jesus treated him and the folks of the city came out to see what was done: "They found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, 'clothed,' and in his right mind; and they were afraid." However, the change was not without cost, somebody lost some hogs in getting rid of the devils, and they did not want to pay the cost. They preferred to have a man walking about naked and full of devils than suffer the loss of some hogs. They asked Jesus to leave! Ruskin said the trouble with most of us is: "We cannot see in a plain way!" A certain historian says that after the fall of the western part of the Roman Empire, for generation after generation there was murder, rape, pillage, fire, etc., and one thing, and only one thing, kept Europe from returning to the days of the savage and hyena; and that was the humble followers of Jesus Christ. The proud, the presumptous, the lecherous, the coveteous, the hypocrites, the heretics, the apostates and their kinsfolk have got our nation and generation on the toboggan slide headed towards the dogs and hyenas. It is time for the humble followers of Jesus Christ to get busy and bring our "naked" day and generation to Him who is able to cast out legions of devils and cause her to get in her right mind, put on "clothes" and sit at His feet. An approximate quote of Martin Luther:
It may be, for the benefit of some of our modern college students, and maybe doctors and professors, too, it should be pointed out that this was not the present reigning Queen Elizabeth, no indeed, but the great queen who reigned several hundred years ago. Am prompted to make this explanation in view of the meager intelligence some of them manifest in view of their conduct in many schools and universities all over the nation. Also, judging from several letters I have had from some of these "brilliants," the way they handled the subject matter under discussion, it is surprising they are not still "walking on all-fours." Government / Rulers MAY 21, 1966 In the Gospel of Luke, chapter 16, verse 15, we read these words of Christ: "For that which is highly esteemed of man is abomination in the sight of God!" The dictionary defines "abominable" as meaning "hateful; odious; offensive; unclean." This is a terrific statement, a terrible one, if one lets its significance sink down in their minds and hearts. Its terrific force, its terribleness is greatly magnified when one considers who made the statement -- none other than God in the flesh, The Lord Jesus Christ, man's Creator; man's Redeemer; man's Preserver, of whom the Scriptures testify: "By Him and for Him, were all things created and made." The context of this 15th verse tells us what prompted, or provoked, Christ to make such a statement: It was the conduct of men who "justified themselves in the eyes of men," while God was looking upon them and knew their hearts to be:
Also, there are others of whom God says, "Thou fool!" In Psalms 14:1 and 53:1 God calls the man "fool" who says there is no God. If I listened too much, and paid too much attention to such folks as this, I fear it might indicate I was in the same category. "This night thy soul shall be required of thee!" In Luke 16: 19-31, Christ gives us a word picture of a certain man whose soul had just been "required of him."
"For that which is highly esteemed of men is abomination in the sight of God!" This article was begun with the purpose of commenting on the subject of "voting," and qualifications. If we mistake not one thing highly esteemed of men these days is the slogan "Vote as you please, but please vote." Would like to give several reasons why this slogan is highly esteemed of men, in our judgment falls in the category of things abominable to God Almighty. If it pleases a man to vote for evil, regardless of whether your pleasure is due to ignorance, or coveteousness, or immorality, lust, dishonesty, lack of integrity, or any other evil, the result in the long run will be a curse to you, your family, your state, nation and the world: For you are responsible to God Almighty for your motives, acts, words, thoughts, and He will bring you into Judgement to "require your soul of you!" In the passage quoted above from the 17th chapter of Jeremiah God hath spoken:
Did you ever hear of the experiences of some of the citizens of Atlanta: we refer to one whose place of business, a cafe, was "miserably messed up," and another being deprived of his business which had taken many years for him to build up? And these abominations were permitted, if not encouraged, or winked at, or "passed by on the other side" by many of our "highly esteemed authorities in the political, educational and ecclesiastical, and editorial world -- highly esteemed Priests, Levites, Reverends (?), and Doctor Divines (?). The Bible says, "Whatsoever things are true, pure, of good report . . . Think on these things." We trust and pray that some of these guilty "highly esteemed" will think on these things, turn, repent, and make what restitution possible, lest they be found abominable in the sight of God "When He cometh to make up His Jewels, and require of them their souls! Is it well with your soul?" "To them that have shall be given, but from them that have not shall be taken away that which they have," said Christ. If we fail to use and protect the blessing of the right to vote, it will be taken away from us! Has it not already been taken away from many of the peoples of the world? They vote, but with instructions who to vote for! Did you know that one of the Presidents of the United States, the 12th, Zachary Taylor, "never bothered to vote?" We do not mention this in order to suggest that you do likewise, but rather to point out that it is not the right to vote that really exalts a man, but rather character, integrity, ability, etc. Or, to put it in Scriptural language: "Righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people." Proverbs 14:34. And this truly applies to the individual. Government / Rulers MAY 28, 1966 The information herein concerning President Zachary Taylor is from the National Geographic magazine of January, 1965. He became President in 1849, but died after being in office only about a year and a half. He was the first Professional Soldier to occupy the White House. He lacked political experience, and never voted -- probably a wise thing to do when you do not know what you are doing. Here is a man that never voted, and yet his fellow citizens voted him the highest office the country could give. He was so honored because of his ability, character, integrity, and devotion to duty in the defense and protection of his country. U.S. Grant, who served under him, said years later: "No soldier could face either danger or responsibility more calmly than he. These are qualities more rarely found than genius or physical courage." Taylor treated bullets as trifles and never lost a battle. In the battle of Buena Vista, February 1847, General Taylor with 4,700 inexperienced invaders defeated the Mexican Army of 15,000 troops, and became a national hero. In February 1850, President Taylor held a stormy conference with several southern leaders who threatened secession. Taylor told the Southerners that to enforce the laws he would lead the army in person, and if they were taken "in rebellion against the Union," he would hang them with less reluctance than he had hanged deserters and spies in Mexico. It is believed that this unwavering stand delayed the Civil War 11 years. Ironically, his only son, Richard, served as a general in the Confederate Army. "Never bothered to vote": We do not mention this to suggest that you do likewise, unless you do not know what you are doing, but rather to point out that it is not the right to vote that exalts a man, but rather character, integrity, ability and performance. Or, to put it in Scriptural language: "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people." Proverbs 14:34. And surely this applies to the individual. It has been said, and doubtless very true, that mobs are seldom or never guilty of atrocities till they are deluded and misled. Do we not need intelligent and principled votes? Are we not striving to produce them? Can it be done by removing prayer and Bible reading from our public schools? And teaching that God is dead? "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he reap!" We have seen time and again of the communists announced plans to delude and mislead some of the most ignorant and immoral of our citizens in mobocracy in order to rend our government apart, and it appears they won the support of many of our "highly esteemed" in the government and colleges, churches, etc. "For that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God!" We submit that the highly esteemed slogan: "Vote as you please, but please vote," falls in the category of things abominable to God; for if it pleases a man to vote for that which is evil, regardless of whether his pleasure is due to ignorance, coveteousness, immorality, lust, dishonesty, lack of integrity, or any other evil, the result in the long run will be a curse to the man, his family, state and nation: For he is responsible to God Almighty for his motives, acts, words, thoughts, and He will bring you into judgment to "require your soul of you!" In the 17th chapter of Jeremiah God hath spoken:
Did you ever hear of the experiences of some of Atlanta's citizens: we refer to one whose place of business, a cafe, was "miserably messed up" and another being deprived of his business which had taken many years to build up? And these abominations were permitted, if not encouraged, or winked at, or "passed by on the other side" by many of our "highly esteemed" authorities in the political, educational, ecclesiastical and editorial world -- highly esteemed Priests, Levites, Reverends (?), and Doctor Divines (?). The Bible says: "Whatsoever things are pure, true, of good report. . . Think on these things." God grant that some of these guilty "highly esteemed" may think on these things, turn, repent, and make what restitution possible, lest they be found abominable in the sight of God. "When He cometh to make up His Jewels, "and requires of men their souls! Is it well with your soul? "To them that have shall be given," said Christ, "But from them that hath not shall be taken away that which they have!" If we fail to use and protect the right to vote, it will be taken away from us! Has it not already been taken away from many of the people of the world? They vote, but with instructions who to vote for! Government / Rulers MARCH 07, 1964 In the second Psalm, God asks a question, and then answers it. He tells who the heathen are, why they rage. God also gives us instruction, warning, and an invitation to blessings. Webster says a heathen is one who "does not believe in the God of The Bible." This definition fits in with what God says in this Psalm: "The Kings of the earth -- and the rulers, and the people (who) imagine a vain thing, and support them as they take council together, against The Lord, and His Annointed." Does a Supreme Court "believe in the God of The Bible" if they reject this Book for our public schools and children? Surely, the right answer is, No! Does a Supreme Court believe in "The Lord's Annointed, The Lord Jesus Christ," when they reject the Prayer He taught His disciples, for our schools and children? Surely, the right answer is No!. Does a President, a Senator, a Congressman, a Governor, a Judge, etc. "believe in The God of The Bible, and His Anointed Jesus Christ" if they support decisions taking The Bible and The Lord's Prayer away from our school children and young people? Does not reason and common sense dictate the answer, No! This is no light matter for the believer of The Bible! The ages of Eternity are at stake! Not only the well being of our nation, government, our people, and our prosperity are at stake for time, but also their well being and salvation for all eternity is at stake! Being persuaded, and conscious, and convicted of these truths, millions of people before our day have chosen to perish from the earth by fire, anguish, and cruel torment, rather than reject "The God of The Bible, and His Anointed, Jesus Christ!" We should be careful about "passing the buck" of all responsibility to those in authority over us! Thus saith the Lord:
God Almighty's appraisal of the natural human heart is: "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?" Jer. 17:9. This condition of the natural heart accounts for God's revelation to the great world ruler, Nebuchadnezzar, that His judgment upon him was
"The lapse of church discipline was a certain symptom of Political and Social anarchy," said the English Historian, Terry, as he viewed the centuries of their experiences. Protestant Christianity produced this great nation, and her good assets of every kind. Protestant Christians have no one to thank but themselves for the sad conditions we now find ourselves in! We are Jonahs! "What meanest thou, 0 sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not!" Jonah 1: 6. The following Scriptures are quoted with the hope and prayer these Words of God will quicken and wake up many of us.
"Why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?" Luke 12:57. Did not our founding fathers, the early Pilgrims and Puritans build on "the firm foundation, laid for the saints of The Lord In His Excellent Word: The Rock of Ages, The Word of God, and His Anointed, The Lord Jesus Christ?" Believe it or not, these foundations account for the greatness, the power, the liberty, the prosperity of this great nation! Believe it or not, these benefits at the present are slipping away! The reason: our foundations are slowly but surely shifting to treacherous, shifting quick-sand! "What meanest thou, 0 sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not!" Jonah "came out" all right, but it was not until he denounced "lying vanities" and said: "I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of The Lord!"  W. M. Religious InfoNet ¤ Box 456 ¤ Forest Lake, MN 55025 Email: kevin@waltermartin.com Phone: 651-307-1507 |