Within the human psyche exists an unchangeable law which dominates the mind-set of every human being on earth.  That law states that, to the human mind, PERCEPTION EQUALS REALITY.  Humans automatically come to the “right” conclusion when presented with “evidence” that cannot be wrong until it is proven to be wrong, and even then the suspision remains.  In a court of law if the accused is proven to be innocent, there remains the belief on the part of many that he is guilty.  This is one of Satan’s diabolical gifts to those within the human race who do not recognize his workmanship and reject it by the power of the Holy Spirit abiding within them.  Few, Jesus said, would receive His Spirit and use it to defeat the works of His arch enemy (Mat. 7:13,14).  For the other 99% of humanity, the perception-equals-reality law remains intact.

For this reason the Lord commanded (not suggested) that His people “Abstain from every APPEARANCE of evil” (1 Thes. 5:22).  Years ago a world-famous evangelist was photographed leaving a motel room with a prostitute.  The “truth” was automatically discerned by everyone who saw the picture.  In this case perception was automatically assumed to be reality.  But what if he had been witnessing to the woman and trying to lead her to the Lord? which, as it turns out, was not the case.  But even if it had been the case it would not have mattered.  HE WAS AUTOMATICALLY GUILTY in the eyes of his fellow man.  He had committed the “appearance of evil” sin simply by being in the room with a prostitute.  Nothing else mattered.  His “guilt” was “real” in the eyes of the world.  What happened in that room was irrelevant.  As it turns out, what happened in that room was sin number two.

Which brings us to a cherished “appearance of evil” sin engaged in by 99% of professing Christendom every year during this season.  This event, which God calls an “abomination,” is one of the foundation stones upon which the whole of Catholicism/Protestantism stands.  By practicing this abomination the church announces to the world that she is in league with a heathen belief and practice dating back to the heyday of one of history’s most vile, ungodly, sin-worshipping governmental organizations: the Holy Roman Empire.  The word “Holy” was applied to the empire because of its affiliation with the Catholic Church.  This church/state theocracy was holy in their own eyes only.  The abomination that these two organizations practiced is called “Christmas.”  For a more detailed study on the subject read the series titled Christmas.  I am presenting this abbreviated study as a reminder of Satan’s power over the Institutional Church and the spiritual pull that heathen actions and beliefs have on church people.  With five weeks to go, preparation for this heathen holiday is already under way around the world.

In Revelation 21 the Almighty is telling the Apostle John about New Jerusalem.  At a future time known only to the Lord, New Jerusalem will descend from heaven and replace Old Jerusalem which will disappear.  Scriptures tell us that there will also be a new heaven and a new earth.  New Jerusalem will be the capital of the Kingdom of God that Christ will establish upon His Second Advent.  From their capital city Jesus and His saints will rule, first the earth, then the universe.  Read The Kingdom of God and God’s Very Elect: Future Caretakers of the Universe.  Use “Kingdom” and “Caretakers” as key words.  In Revelation 21:27 the Lord tells us that only certain people will be allowed to enter the Holy City.  These will be they whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.  In this passage God tells us that among those who will not be allowed inside the city are those who work “abominations.”  Obviously, God rejects things He calls by that name along with those who are involved in them.  The heathen (Heb.–goiim–Gentiles practice abominations.  That is what makes them heathen.  The Lord tells us in Jeremiah 44:4 that He hates everything that is abominable.  Let us read His description of one particular abomination that was practiced by the ancient Romans and is practiced by professing Christendom today.  His attitude toward this act of rebellion has not changed.  He is the Lord, He changes not.  He is the same yesterday, today and forever.  In Him is no shadow of turning (change).

In Jeremiah 10:1-5 we find the Lord condemning a custom practiced by heathen people  He says: “Do not learn the ways of the heathen …. for the customs of the people (heathen) are vain (abominable), for one (heathen) cuts a tree out of the forest … with an ax.  They (the heathen) deck it with silver and gold, fasten it with nails and hammers so that it cannot move.  They (the trees) are upright but do not speak, and must be borne because they cannot go (on their own).  Do not be afraid of them, for they cannot do evil, neither can they do good.”  Let us revisit God’s command: cut down a tree; bring it into the home; prop it up; decorate it with silver and gold.  Sound familiar?  Historically, where do we find such an abominable celebration being practiced?  In the Roman Empire.

The Romans had a practice of studying the religions and gods of the nations they conquered and embracing those which they liked.  The people whom they defeated were heathen who had various gods and religions.  The most popular heathen god was the sun whose devotees worshipped him on the Day of the Sun (Sunday)–the first day of the week–as well as on his birthday which fell on December 25.  Following the embrace of heathen religions by the Roman Government and the Catholic Church, the Lord’s 7th day Sabbath (Saturday) was changed to the 1st day (Sunday).  Also, December 25 was accepted by the theocracy as Christ’s birthday.  Now let us examine the Roman method of celebrating “Christmas” and see if it rings any “bells.”

What became known as the “Christmas season” was wildly popular among the Romans who turned it into a drunken sex orgy.  The December 25th celebration revolved around the supposed birth of Saturnalia, the Roman god of agriculture.  During this week-long celebration the people did not work and spent much of that time decorating their homes with wreaths of greenery.  The burning of numerous  candles, which represented the sun, was also popular.  Mistletoe was placed over doorways in the belief that it heightened sexual desire.  Gift-giving was a dominant part of the festivities.  One group’s sun god was named Tammuz, referenced in Ezekiel Eze. 8:14.  People made lists of what they wanted the sun god to leave beneath their tree.  Tammuz was known for doing this, just as Santa Claus is known for doing so today.

The sun worshipers had different names for their god and different methods of worshiping him, her or it.  One of the gods was named Moloch whose worshipers sacrificed their children to him.  A hollow metal statue of him was heated until it glowed bright red.  People laid their children on the statue’s  outstreatched arms and beat drums to drown out their screams as they burned to death.  Today his devotees place their children on his knee.  The children tell him what they want him to bring them.  Contrary to universal opinion, Jesus is not “the reason for the season.”  Rather, He is the hater of the season.  Counterfeit Christians do not merely appear to be sinning, they openly sin and take pride in their freedom to do so.  What they do not realize and refuse to accept is that Satan is the provider of that supposed freedom.  In the eyes of God, those who practice an abomination are themselves abominable.  There will be no abominable people in the Kingdom of God.  L.J.