1. BRASS FOR GOLD

2. Solomon’s apostasy led to untold evils in Israel. The hearts of the people were turned from the true worship of God and syncretism crept in until they were steeped in idolatry while they themselves considered themselves faithful in all their ways. The Bible foretells a similar apostasy at the end of time where the people of God will be led astray like Jezebel led God’s people astray by introducing the syncretistic worship of Baal and Yahweh. Solomon’s apostasy is chronicled for our time

3. 1Ki 11:1 But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites; 1Ki 11:2 Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love. The decline of Solomon was gradual, almost imperceptible. Sin has a habit of spinning its web one strand at a time. Solomon loved the Lord and in his youth made a choice to follow Him with his whole heart. His early reign was exemplary.

4. Above every earthly good, the king desired wisdom and understanding for the accomplishment of the work God had given him to do. He longed for quickness of mind, for largeness of heart, for tenderness of spirit. That night the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream and said, "Ask what I shall give thee." In his answer the young and inexperienced ruler gave utterance to his feeling of helplessness and his desire for aid. "Thou hast showed unto Thy servant David my father great mercy," he said, "according as he walked before Thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with Thee; and Thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that Thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. {PK 28.1}

5. 1Ki 3:7 And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. 1Ki 3:8 And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. 1Ki 3:9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? 1Ki 3:10 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. 1Ki 3:11 And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;

6. 1Ki 3:12 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. 1Ki 3:13 And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. 1Ki 3:14 And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.

7. Steps to apostasy: 1.Self confidence But Solomon had begun to lose sight of the Source of his power and glory. As inclination gained the ascendancy over reason, self-confidence increased, and he sought to carry out the Lord's purpose in his own way. He reasoned that political and commercial alliances with the surrounding nations would bring these nations to a knowledge of the true God; 2.Unholy alliances and he entered into unholy alliance with nation after nation. Often these alliances were sealed by marriages with heathen princesses.

8. 3. Setting aside God’s requirements for those of the world The commands of Jehovah were set aside for the customs of surrounding peoples. {PK 53.3} 4.Flattering himself that his wisdom would prevail Solomon flattered himself that his wisdom and the power of his example would lead his wives from idolatry to the worship of the true God, and also that the alliances thus formed would draw the nations roundabout into close touch with Israel. Vain hope! Solomon's mistake in regarding himself as strong enough to resist the influence of heathen associates was fatal. And fatal, too, the deception that led him to hope that notwithstanding a disregard of God's law on his part, others might be led to revere and obey its sacred precepts. {PK 54.1}

9. 5.Relishing worldly honor (Gold of Ophir) The king's alliances and commercial relations with heathen nations brought him renown, honor, and the riches of this world. He was enabled to bring gold from Ophir and silver from Tarshish in great abundance. "The king made silver and gold at Jerusalem as plenteous as stones, and cedar trees made he as the sycamore trees that are in the vale for abundance." 2 Chronicles 1:15. Wealth, with all its attendant temptations, came in Solomon's day to an increasingly large number of people; but the fine gold of character was dimmed and marred. {PK 54.2} 6. Losing confidence in God’s guidance So gradual was Solomon's apostasy that before he was aware of it; he had wandered far from God. Almost imperceptibly he began to trust less and less in divine guidance and blessing, and to put confidence in his own strength.

10. 7.Disobedience creeps in Little by little he withheld from God that unswerving obedience which was to make Israel a peculiar people, and he conformed more and more closely to the customs of the surrounding nations. Yielding to the temptations incident to his success and his honored position, he forgot the Source of his prosperity. 8.Unhealthy ambition An ambition to excel all other nations in power and grandeur led him to pervert for selfish purposes the heavenly gifts hitherto employed for the glory of God. 9.Less regard for others The money which should have been held in sacred trust for the benefit of the worthy poor and for the extension of principles of holy living throughout the world, was selfishly absorbed in ambitious projects. {PK 55.1}

11. 10.Character development marginalized Engrossed in an overmastering desire to surpass other nations in outward display, the king overlooked the need of acquiring beauty and perfection of character. In seeking to glorify himself before the world, he sold his honor and integrity. 11.Benevolence turns to tyranny The enormous revenues acquired through commerce with many lands were supplemented by heavy taxes. Thus pride, ambition, prodigality, and indulgence bore fruit in cruelty and exaction. The conscientious, considerate spirit that had marked his dealings with the people during the early part of his reign, was now changed. From the wisest and most merciful of rulers, he degenerated into a tyrant. Once the compassionate, God-fearing guardian of the people, he became oppressive and despotic. Tax after tax was levied upon the people, that means might be forthcoming to support the luxurious court. {PK 55.2}

12. 12.Passion reigns Passion for power: As a safeguard against dependence on the arm of flesh, the Lord had warned those who should rule over Israel not to multiply horses to themselves. But in utter disregard of this command, "Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt." "And they brought unto Solomon horses out of Egypt, and out of all lands." "Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he bestowed in the cities for chariots, and with the king at Jerusalem." 2 Chronicles I:16; 9:28; I Kings 10:26. {PK 56.2} Passion for women: Beautiful and attractive women were brought from Egypt, Phoenicia, Edom, and Moab, and from many other places. These women were numbered by hundreds.

13. 13.Idolatry Their religion was idol worship, and they had been taught to practice cruel and degrading rites. Infatuated with their beauty, the king neglected his duties to God and to his kingdom. {PK 56.3} His wives exerted a strong influence over him and gradually prevailed on him to unite with them in their worship. Solomon had disregarded the instruction that God had given to serve as a barrier against apostasy, and now he gave himself up to the worship of the false gods. "It came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites." I Kings II:4,5. {PK 56.4}

14. 14.Conscience seared Solomon's course brought its sure penalty. His separation from God through communication with idolaters was his ruin. As he cast off his allegiance to God, he lost the mastery of himself. His moral efficiency was gone. His fine sensibilities became blunted, his conscience seared. He who in his early reign had displayed so much wisdom and sympathy in restoring a helpless babe to its unfortunate mother (see I Kings 3:16-28), fell so low as to consent to the erection of an idol to whom living children were offered as sacrifices. He who in his youth was endowed with discretion and understanding, and who in his strong manhood had been inspired to write:

15. , "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Proverbs 14:12), in later years departed so far from purity as to countenance licentious, revolting rites connected with the worship of Chemosh and Ashtoreth. He who at the dedication of the temple had said to his people, "Let your heart therefore be perfect with the Lord our God" (I Kings 8:61), became himself an offender, in heart and life denying his own words. He mistook license for liberty. He tried--but at what cost!--to unite light with darkness, good with evil, purity with impurity, Christ with Belial. {PK 57.2} Chemosh Ashtoreth

16. 15.Nobility lost From being one of the greatest kings that ever wielded a scepter, Solomon became a profligate, the tool and slave of others. His character, once noble and manly, became enervated and effeminate. His faith in the living God was supplanted by atheistic doubts. Unbelief marred his happiness, weakened his principles, and degraded his life. The justice and magnanimity of his early reign were changed to despotism and tyranny. Poor, frail human nature! God can do little for men who lose their sense of dependence upon Him. {PK 58.1}

17. In the midst of prosperity lurks danger. Throughout the ages, riches and honor have ever been attended with peril to humility and spirituality. It is not the empty cup that we have difficulty in carrying; it is the cup full to the brim that must be carefully balanced. Affliction and adversity may cause sorrow, but it is prosperity that is most dangerous to spiritual life. Unless the human subject is in constant submission to the will of God, unless he is sanctified by the truth, prosperity will surely arouse the natural inclination to presumption. {PK 59.3} In the valley of humiliation, where men depend on God to teach them and to guide their every step, there is comparative safety. But the men who stand, as it were, on a lofty pinnacle, and who, because of their position, are supposed to possess great wisdom--these are in gravest peril. Unless such men make God their dependence, they will surely fall. {PK 60.1} In the valley of humiliation, where men depend on God to teach them and to guide their every step, there is comparative safety. But the men who stand, as it were, on a lofty pinnacle, and who, because of their position, are supposed to possess great wisdom--these are in gravest peril. Unless such men make God their dependence, they will surely fall. {PK 60.1}

18. So the Lord raised up adversaries against him and promised to tear the kingdom from him: 1Ki 11:12 Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it for David thy father's sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son. 1Ki 11:13 Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake which I have chosen. The adversaries that were raised up against Solomon were Relatives, outsiders and insiders. They were: Hadad the Edomite who had fled to Egypt when Joab had killed all the males in Edom. Hadad was strongly allied to the king of Egypt and was married to the sister of Pharaoh’s wife. He returned to Edom after the death of David to be a thorn in Solomon’s side.

19. The second adversary was Rezon who reigned over Syria and the third was Jeroboam the Ephraimite who rebelled against him and later ruled over the ten tribes torn from the kingdom of Solomon, It’s interesting that Jeroboam’s mothers name was Zeruah which means leprous and serves as a symbol of sin. Why did God permit this? 1Ki 11:33 Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father.

20. Solomon tried to kill Jeroboam, but he fled to Egypt and allied himself to pharaoh Shishak. He returned after the death of Solomon and tried to make peace with the Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, but instead of listening to the advice of his elders to accept the proffered hand, Rehoboam listened to the advice of the young men and doubled the yoke on the neck of of Jeroboam. This directly led to the division of the kingdom. Had Rehoboam acted in a Christ like manner, this could have been prevented. Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Jer 18:15 Because my people hath forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways from the ancient paths, to walk in paths, in a way not cast up;

21. Jeroboam not only took ten of the tribes with him, but he tried to invest with solemnity a false system of worship to counterfeit the true. 1Ki 12:26 And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David: 1Ki 12:27 If this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again unto their lord, even unto Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall kill me, and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah. 1Ki 12:28 Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. 1Ki 12:29 And he set the one in Bethel, and the other put he in Dan. 1Ki 12:30 And this thing became a sin: for the people went to worship before the one, even unto Dan.

22. 1Ki 13:4 And it came to pass, when king Jeroboam heard the saying of the man of God, which had cried against the altar in Bethel, that he put forth his hand from the altar, saying, Lay hold on him. And his hand, which he put forth against him, dried up, so that he could not pull it in again to him. 1Ki 13:5 The altar also was rent, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign which the man of God had given by the word of the LORD. On one occasion a prophet rebuked him and prophesied against the counterfeit altar he had erected and when he stretched out his hand to command the arrest of the prophet his arm withered.

23. A Paralyzed Arm: And his hand, which he put forth against him, dried up, so that he could not pull it in again to him. 1 Kings 13:4. {CC 202.1} Jeroboam was filled with a spirit of defiance against God and attempted to restrain the one who had delivered the message. In wrath "he put forth his hand from the altar" and cried out, "Lay hold on him." His impetuous act met with swift rebuke. The hand outstretched against the messenger of Jehovah suddenly became powerless and withered, and could not be withdrawn. {CC 202.2} Jeroboam was filled with a spirit of defiance against God and attempted to restrain the one who had delivered the message. In wrath "he put forth his hand from the altar" and cried out, "Lay hold on him." His impetuous act met with swift rebuke. The hand outstretched against the messenger of Jehovah suddenly became powerless and withered, and could not be withdrawn. {CC 202.2} Terror-stricken, the king appealed to the prophet to intercede with God in his behalf.... "And the man of God besought the Lord, and the king's hand was restored him again, and became as it was before." {CC 202.3} Terror-stricken, the king appealed to the prophet to intercede with God in his behalf.... "And the man of God besought the Lord, and the king's hand was restored him again, and became as it was before." {CC 202.3}

24. Vain had been Jeroboam's effort to invest with solemnity the dedication of a strange altar, respect for which would have led to disrespect for the worship of Jehovah in the temple at Jerusalem. By the message of the prophet, the king of Israel should have been led to repent and to renounce his wicked purposes, which were turning the people away from the true worship of God. But he hardened his heart and determined to follow a way of his own choosing.... {CC 202.4}

25. The Lord seeks to save, not to destroy. He delights in the rescue of sinners. "As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked" (Eze. 33:11). By warnings and entreaties He calls the wayward to cease from their evil-doing and to turn to Him and live. He gives His chosen messengers a holy boldness, that those who hear may fear and be brought to repentance. How firmly the man of God rebuked the king! And this firmness was essential; in no other way could the existing evils have been rebuked. The Lord gave His servant boldness, that an abiding impression might be made on those who heard. The messengers of the Lord are never to fear the face of man, but are to stand unflinchingly for the right. So long as they put their trust in God, they need not fear; for He who gives them their commission gives them also the assurance of His protecting care. {CC 202.5}

26. The reign of Rehoboam, Solomon’s son: 1Ki 14:21 And Rehoboam the son of Solomon reigned in Judah. Rehoboam was forty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD did choose out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. And his mother's name was Naamah an Ammonitess. (Naamah means pleasantness) 1Ki 14:22 And Judah did evil in the sight of the LORD, and they provoked him to jealousy with their sins which they had committed, above all that their fathers had done. 1Ki 14:23 For they also built them high places, and images, and groves, on every high hill, and under every green tree. 1Ki 14:24 And there were also sodomites in the land: and they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.

27. Although Solomon had longed to prepare the mind of Rehoboam, his chosen successor, to meet with wisdom the crisis foretold by the prophet of God, he had never been able to exert a strong molding influence for good over the mind of his son, whose early training had been so grossly neglected. Rehoboam had received from his mother, an Ammonitess, the stamp of a vacillating character. At times he endeavored to serve God and was granted a measure of prosperity; but he was not steadfast, and at last he yielded to the influences for evil that had surrounded him from infancy. In the mistakes of Rehoboam's life and in his final apostasy is revealed the fearful result of Solomon's union with idolatrous women. {PK 88.2}

28. 2Ch 12:1 And it came to pass, when Rehoboam had established the kingdom, and had strengthened himself, he forsook the law of the LORD, and all Israel with him. 2Ch 12:2 And it came to pass, that in the fifth year of king Rehoboam Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, because they had transgressed against the LORD, 2Ch 12:3 With twelve hundred chariots, and threescore thousand horsemen: and the people were without number that came with him out of Egypt; the Lubims, the Sukkiims, and the Ethiopians. 2Ch 12:4 And he took the fenced cities which pertained to Judah, and came to Jerusalem. 2Ch 12:5 Then came Shemaiah the prophet to Rehoboam, and to the princes of Judah, that were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said unto them, Thus saith the LORD, Ye have forsaken me, and therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak.

29. 2Ch 12:6 Whereupon the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, The LORD is righteous. 2Ch 12:7 And when the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance; and my wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak. 2Ch 12:8 Nevertheless they shall be his servants; that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.

30. 1Ki 14:25 And it came to pass in the fifth year of king Rehoboam, that Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem: 1Ki 14:26 and he took away the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king’s house; he even took away all: and he took away all the shields of gold which Solomon had made. 1Ki 14:27 And king Rehoboam made in their stead shields of brass, and committed them to the hands of the captains of the guard, which kept the door of the king’s house. 1Ki 14:28 And it was so, that as oft as the king went into the house of the LORD, the guard bare them, and brought them back into the guard chamber. 1Ki 14:30 And there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually.

31. 1Ki 14:31 And Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David: and his mother’s name was Naamah the Ammonitess. And Abijam his son reigned in his stead. Psa 45:6 Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. Psa 45:7 Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. Psa 45:8 All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad. Psa 45:9 Kings' daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir. Psa 45:10 Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house; Psa 45:11 So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him.

32. Christ’s bride is covered in gold of Ophir, the symbol of the righteousness of Christ. Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. "All Israel with Him" It came to pass, when Rehoboam had established the kingdom, and had strengthened himself, he forsook the law of the Lord, and all Israel with him. 2 Chron. 12:1. {CC 201.1} It came to pass, when Rehoboam had established the kingdom, and had strengthened himself, he forsook the law of the Lord, and all Israel with him. 2 Chron. 12:1. {CC 201.1}

33. The extravagance of Solomon's reign during his apostasy had led him to tax the people heavily and to require of them much menial service.... Had Rehoboam and his inexperienced counselors understood the divine will concerning Israel, they would have listened to the request of the people for decided reforms in the administration of the government. But in the hour of opportunity that came to them during the meeting in Shechem, they failed to reason from cause to effect.... {CC 201.2} The extravagance of Solomon's reign during his apostasy had led him to tax the people heavily and to require of them much menial service.... Had Rehoboam and his inexperienced counselors understood the divine will concerning Israel, they would have listened to the request of the people for decided reforms in the administration of the government. But in the hour of opportunity that came to them during the meeting in Shechem, they failed to reason from cause to effect.... {CC 201.2}

34. The pen of inspiration has traced the sad record of Solomon's successor as one who failed to exert a strong influence for loyalty to Jehovah. Naturally headstrong, confident, self-willed, and inclined to idolatry, nevertheless, had he placed his trust wholly in God, he would have developed strength of character, steadfast faith, and submission to the divine requirements. But as time passed, the king put his trust in the power of position and in the strongholds he had fortified. Little by little he gave way to inherited weakness, until he threw his influence wholly on the side of idolatry.... {CC 201.3} Rev 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

35. How sad, how filled with significance, the words, "And all Israel with him"! The people whom God had chosen to stand as a light to the surrounding nations were turning from their Source of strength and seeking to become like the nations about them. As with Solomon, so with Rehoboam--the influence of wrong example led many astray. And as with them, so to a greater or less degree is it today with everyone who gives himself up to work evil--the influence of wrongdoing is not confined to the doer. No man liveth unto himself. None perish alone in their iniquity. Every life is a light that brightens and cheers the pathway of others, or a dark and desolating influence that tends toward despair and ruin. We lead others either upward to happiness and immortal life, or downward to sorrow and eternal death. And if by our deeds we strengthen or force into activity the evil powers of those around us, we share their sin. {CC 201.4}

36. With the rending of the kingdom early in Rehoboam's reign the glory of Israel began to depart, never again to be regained in its fullness. At times during the centuries that followed, the throne of David was occupied by men of moral worth and far-seeing judgment, and under the rulership of these sovereigns the blessings resting upon the men of Judah were extended to the surrounding nations. At times the name of Jehovah was exalted above every false god, and His law was held in reverence. From time to time mighty prophets arose to strengthen the hands of the rulers and to encourage the people to continued faithfulness. But the seeds of evil already springing up when Rehoboam ascended the throne were never to be wholly uprooted; and at times the once-favored people of God were to fall so low as to become a byword among the heathen. {PK 96.1}

37. Application: I am filled with sadness when I think of our condition as a people. The Lord has not closed heaven to us, but our own course of continual backsliding has separated us from God. Pride, covetousness, and love of the world have lived in the heart without fear of banishment or condemnation. Grievous and presumptuous sins have dwelt among us. And yet the general opinion is that the church is flourishing, and that peace and spiritual prosperity are in all her borders. The church has turned back from following Christ her leader, and is steadily retreating toward Egypt. Yet few are alarmed or astonished at their want of spiritual power. Doubt and even disbelief of the testimonies of the Spirit of God is leavening our churches everywhere. Satan would have it thus.--Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 217. {ChS 38.4}

38. The government under which Jesus lived was corrupt and oppressive; on every hand were crying abuses,--extortion, intolerance, and grinding cruelty. Yet the Saviour attempted no civil reforms. He attacked no national abuses, nor condemned the national enemies. He did not interfere with the authority or administration of those in power. He who was our example kept aloof from earthly governments. Not because He was indifferent to the woes of men, but because the remedy did not lie in merely human and external measures. To be efficient, the cure must reach men individually, and must regenerate the heart. {DA 509.3} Today the King of the North has his tentacles everywhere. He has set up so many structures, front organizations and affiliations that to unravel them would be impossible. Our faith must be rooted in Jesus and His truth and we are to rest in Him who will soon come to separate the sheep from the goats.

39. http://news4themasses.wordpress.com/tag/knights-of-malta/ Jesuits beget Jesuits: Norman Geisler Veritas & Calvary Chapel Bible College Norman Geisler Author of the Chicago Statement of 1978, formulated post PhD. from Jesuit School, Loyola University; is the Founder of Veritas Evangelical Seminary, and founder of International Society of Christian Apologetics (ISCA). … all of his Board Members of Veritas are Calvary Chapel related Pastors and/or Speakers and/or CC Board Members of other Calvary Chapels.Loyola UniversityInternational Society of Christian Apologetics (ISCA) Norman Geisler

40. Past President: Dr. Norman L. Geisler Ph.D., Loyola University Distinguished Professor of Theology and Apologetics, Veritas Evangelical Seminary, Murietta, CA Personal Website: NormGeisler.comNormGeisler.com Past President: Dr. Win Corduan Ph.D., Rice University Scholar in Philosophy and Religion Alexandria, IN Personal Website: WinCorduan.comWinCorduan.com http://www.isca-apologetics.org/executive- committee

41. Southern Evangelical Seminary not only promotes Jesuit Theology and Agendas but also has some Professors that come from Jesuit schools. http://rpmgt.org/JesuitTrainedGeisler.htm Geisler who is involved with Calvary Chapel Bible college promotes Bible Apologetics based on reason, is involved in counter cult ministries and promotes Catholic Evangelical cooperation. Southern Evangelical Seminary was founded in 1992 by Ross Rhoads, former evangelist and then Pastor of Calvary Church in Charlotte http://www.ses.edu/

42. Jesuit-trained Evangelical Leader President Norman L. Geisler's Role in Destroying Evangelical Christianity in America. By Rick Friedrich Jan. 1 2008. Rick Friedrich writes: Just looking at the back cover of the book and doing a little research on the names of those who recommended the book, should say a lot. Just look at all the Jesuits and connections with Jesuits and their agendas, and remember that Geisler got his Ph.D. from Jesuit Loyola University. While this may not bother some people there is much more to consider. Needless to say, I now realize the agendas evangelical leaders like Billy Graham, Chuck Colson, and Geisler have had over the years, and why things turned out the way they did. It was very clever and it worked. back cover of the book http://rpmgt.org/JesuitTrained Geisler.htm

43. Rick Friedrich continues: One final example is Frank Beckwith. He was the President of the Evangelical Theological Society (ETS) and resigned to go back to Roman Catholicism. Has this sort of thing not happened many times before? They pretend to be evangelicals, are raised up to high places and then later show their true colors after they do their damage. But notice what the present SES President has to say in the Introduction about such people and their defending the faith. He asks why do people come so far to such a school? He says for "training under some of the top apologists and Bible teachers in the country to evangelize the world and to defend the historic Christian Faith." Yet are not at least some of these men pushing for the Roman faith? And one finally rejoins it unambiguously. Where is Christian apologetics at SES??? What happened to defending the faith against the greatest enemy? As I have written elsewhere, the best way to beat the opposition is to create it and control it. http://rpmgt.org/JesuitTrainedGeisler.htm

44. A Word from the President, Dr. Alex McFarland "Why have hundreds of students come to Southern Evangelical Seminary from all over the United States and many other countries? Because they can get something here that they cannot get anywhere else, namely, training under some of the top apologists and Bible teachers in the country to evangelize the world and to defend the historic Christian Faith (Matt. 28:18-20; 1 Peter 3:15). "In only a few years SES has trained students from across the country and around the world. What is more, doctors, lawyers, dentists, engineers, scientists, teachers, and other lay persons come to Charlotte to learn how to contend for the Faith (Jude 3).... Indeed, top theologians and apologists from around the country fly to Charlotte to help train a future generation. http://rpmgt.org/JesuitTrainedGeisler.htm

45. They have all benefited financially from Nelson Bunker Hunt. Nelson Bunker Hunt is a business tycoon famous for trying to make a run on Silver, an Equestrian, and something I’ve learned recently, a Jesuit for the Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem.EquestrianOrder of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem. Another Jesuit for Another Gospel http://news4themasses.wordpress.com/tag/kn ights-of-malta/ What do Bill Bright (Campus Crusade for Christ), Billy Graham (Billy Graham Evangelistic Association), Tim LaHaye (CNP founder, Left Behind co-author), and Chuck Smith have in common?Billy Graham Evangelistic AssociationChuck Smith

46. http://news4themasses.wordpr ess.com/tag/knights-of-malta/ Nelson Bunker Hunt Nelson Bunker Hunt is on the Council for National Policy (CNP) President Executive Committee (1983); CNP Senior Executive Committee (1983-84); CNP Executive Committee (1988). Heir of the Hunt Oil Company fortune.Council for National Policy Financial backer of CNP, CBN, JBS. In 1951, Bunker Hunt and Wallace Johnson, founder of Holiday Inns, worked with and funded Bill Bright’s Campus Crusade for Christ donating $15.5 million. In 1967, Hunt formed the Christian World Liberation Front (CWLF) as a covert front for Campus Crusade, which split off and became a leading ministry in the Jesus People movement. Bunker Hunt arranged a retreat for more than 500 millionaires who pledged $20 to Campus Crusade.. In 1981, William Herbert and Nelson Bunker Hunt provided the start-up money for the Council for National Policy. Nelson Bunker Hunt is currently a member of Council of National Policy (CNP).Christian World Liberation Frontcurrently a member of Council of National Policy (CNP).

47. CNP founder Tim LaHaye http://news4themasses.wordpre ss.com/tag/knights-of-malta/ CNP foundation CNP was founded in 1981 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization by Rev. Tim LaHaye of the Religious Roundtable, who was also the first CNP president, 1981. LaHaye, the right-wing, evangelical political motivator and author of the Left Behind series. The original directors, as listed with CNP’s articles of incorporation filed with the Texas Secretary of State were Howard Phillips, a long- time conservative activist with plenty of conservative groups under his wing, and Bob J. Perry, a Texas businessman who has long donated vast amounts of money to conservative causes.

48. http://www.federalobserver.com/archi ve.php?aid=3098 Because CNP rules state that "meetings are closed to the media and the general public" and "our membership list is strictly confidential and should not be shared outside the Council," the mainstream press knows very little about the CNP. …

49. Early CNP membership directories were obtained by enterprising researchers, however, and these revealed that the early leadership of the CNP was, in fact, also represented in the Council on Foreign Relations -- the very organization of globalists to which the CNP was to be the conservative alternative! On the first CNP Governing Board there were no less than three, and possibly more, members of the CFR: George F. Gilder- CNP Board of Governors (1982) ; Dr. Edward Teller- CNP Board of Governors (1982); and Guy Vander Jagt - CNP Board of Governors (1982). … Many of CNP’s highest-ranking members also belong to the Masonic Knights of Malta and are associated with Fabian socialism and the eugenics movement, not to mention cultists like Sun Myung Moon and Scientology as well as the heretical and cultic Dominionist/Reconstructionist movement. http://www.federalobserver.com /archive.php?aid=3098 The list of members is a veritable who’s who comprising politicians, Federal reserve and CFR members as well as numerous societies

50. http://www.sdiworld.org/re view_panel.html Spiritual Directors International is a learning community committed to advancing spiritual direction around the world. It’s membership consist of people from many nations and many faiths. Spiritual Directors International provides programs, publications, and practices to support spiritual direction. They promote sacred listening, spiritual guidance, spiritual accompaniment, anam cara in Gaelic, and mashpiah in Hebrew. SDI also offers resources for spirituality, contemplative prayer, contemplative practice, compassionate listening, mindfulness, discernment, education, and retreats. If you go to the website of “Spiritual Directors International” (http://www.sdiworld.org) you will find that their Review panel is composed of Protestants, Catholics (including a number of Jesuits) and rabbis. Spiritual Directors International:

51. She writes: "Spirituality" is not Christianity. The written Word of God gives Christians order and direction in living and worshiping together. God defines "truth" with His Word. It is objective, authoritative, and sufficient. http://www.cephas-library.com/renovare_willow_creek.html The stones are crying out Mary Fairchild, and active Willow Creek participant wrote an article in which she discusses the state of Willow Creek and it’s teachings: Protestant No More: Willow Creek Infiltrated by a Mystic Quaker Movement Called Renovare By Mary Fairchild - March 2003

52. "I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God shall add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book." Revelation 22:18,19 She further states: Faith believes that if I obey God, everything will come out right in the end. If we obey God's Word, God will take care of the results. Ecumenical evangelism advocates infiltration of liberal denominations and organizations rather than separation from liberal unbelief and error. The Bible calls for separation from unbelief and worldliness. As long as the church has maintained her standard of separation, she has been wondrously blessed of God. Whenever she has compromised that standard and made unholy alliances with unbelievers, her spiritual strength has been sapped, confusion has resulted, and chaos has threatened.

53. …. acceptance of "traditions" of other faiths is being taught …. Last fall's women's classes were equally disturbing in topics. Meditation techniques and the writings and traditions from the Jesuits, the Quakers, and the Black church are being mixed with Scripture and New Age ideas. She even warns against: "lectio divina.“ she… “didn't agree with these meditations and the "breath prayers” …. I warned her that this form of meditation could open people up to the wrong spirit and hearing voices. http://www.cephas-library.com/renovare_willow_creek.html An indicator of counterfeit faith that does not bring conversion is a desire to be saved from the punishment of sin, but not from sin itself. Other indicators would include a desire for the blessings of Christ, but no desire for a relationship with Him and a desire for the free gift of eternal life, but not with empty hands of faith.

54. More indicators of counterfeit faith would include a desire for Christ as a Priest to procure pardon and peace, but not as a Prophet to instruct them or as a King to rule over them. And finally, a desire for Christ that is only under the terms of their religious traditions or unbending philosophy. http://www.cephas-library.com/renovare_willow_creek.html She continues: The Bible tells us that "we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us….according to the will of God." (Romans 8:16- 17) Remember, Jesus always prayed and served according to His Father's will and purpose on each occasion. "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him." (1 John 5:14-15)

55. "And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done….(Matthew 6:7-9). "'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men'. You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men." And he said to them: "You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! Romans 7:6-9 http://www.cephas-library.com/renovare_willow_creek.html She then warned against the … “Promoted writers and leaders of this movement at the WCCC “

56. 1. Richard J. Foster www.cephasministry.com/new_age_richard_foster.html: Renovare & Christian Mystic Quaker and Fuller psychologist, Foster teaches all the techniques of the New Age such as quietism, mantras, centering, Buddhism, Yoga, T. M., exercises of Ignatius Loyola, Eastern religion and so on…. 2. Tilden Edwards http.//www.shalem.org author: Spiritual Friend, Paulist Press, 1980 Episcopal priest; founder and director of Shalem Institute For Spiritual Formation. His vision is that contemplative spirituality can have a powerful effect on today's national life. 3. Parker Palmer http://csf.colorado.edu/sine/transcripts/palmer.html Palmer believes that a life illuminated by spirit and infused with soul will transform education. His on-line transcript follows the Dalai Lama. He is a Quaker.

57. 4. Ignatius Loyola and the Jesuits www.geocities.com/dasydministries/jesuits.htm Ignatius was the first general of the Jesuit army. They infiltrated churches to destroy all that were not related to the mother church. One of the bloodiest times in the history of mankind, the Jesuits were probably the most cruel and fierce as they justified torture and murder for the church. Loyola's spiritual exercises were used by the Jesuits and they would put themselves into a trance and levitate. 5. George Fox founder of Quakerism Mothers of Feminism; The Story of Quaker Women in America by Margaret Hope Bacon, Harper & Row Publishers, 1986; The Quakers by Hugh Barbour and J. William Frost, Greenwood Press, 1988, Westport, CT. In deep depression and hopelessness Fox hears a voice and promotes it as the "Light within." Perhaps out of his devotion to his over-indulging and well-learned mother, he pushes a strong egalitarian movement and sets up women preachers as he twists Scripture to make sense of his "experiences" and explain his unscriptural choices.

58. 6. Gilbert Bilezikian and Egalitarians www.wayoflife.org/fbns/fbns/fbns464.html Bilezikian is the founding elder and influential theologian at WCCC. Egalitarians assert that women should be pastors, elders, and co-heads of families. They twist Scripture just like George Fox did to make this possible. 7. John Ortberg & Ruth Barton Egalitarian and New Age influences. http://nationalpastorsconvention.com/2003/programs/spiritual.php Together they opened up "spiritual formation" at WCCC with the introduction of their new book and curriculum An Ordinary Day With Jesus.

59. Writing on the Jesuits she states: Ignatius Loyola and the Jesuits: “As his conscience troubled him deeply he chose to earn his salvation by obedient service to the Roman church and the pope rather than accept Christ's free offer of salvation. He soon planned to bring Catholic turned Protestants back to the Roman Church which he thought was the Kingdom of God on earth. … Around 1550 the Jesuits began infiltrating every religion and denomination. Their job was to infiltrate and destroy churches other than the mother church. Before long, Jesuits had become teachers and professors in universities throughout Europe. Eventually they started their own schools, colleges, and universities. http://www.cephas-library.com/renovare_willow_creek.html

60. They saw education as a way to serve the church by strengthening people who were already members and reclaiming those who had become Protestants. The Roman Church remained convinced that it was the Kingdom of God on earth, and it saw the Protestant Reformation as a threat to that Kingdom. The church determined to regain what it had lost and to put the whole world under its religious domination once and for all. … They still infiltrate churches today. They also infiltrate many Bible schools and Seminaries around the world and keep them from teaching the fullness of the world of God. Education was and is used to reach others and strengthen their own and their hallmark is "the end justifies the means.”

61. Brass for Gold: Jer 2:13 For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. Deu 30:1 And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath driven thee, Deu 30:2 And shalt return unto the LORD thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul; Deu 30:3 That then the LORD thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath scattered thee.